What happens after a "guilty plea" is entered?

• A. The defendant is acquitted of all charges
• B. The case automatically gets dismissed
• C. A conviction is likely to follow
• D. The trial proceeds as scheduled

Answer: (C)

When a "guilty plea" is entered, a conviction is likely to follow because the plea itself is an admission of guilt to the charges presented. By pleading guilty, the defendant acknowledges that they committed the offense, and this admission directly leads to a judgment of conviction. Following this guilty plea, the next steps typically involve sentencing, where the court determines the appropriate punishment based on the crime committed and other related factors.

The other options do not align with the process of a guilty plea. Acquittal, dismissal of charges, or proceeding to trial all imply a complexity in the legal process that does not occur when a guilty plea is accepted. Therefore, recognizing the implications of a guilty plea as leading directly towards a conviction is fundamental in understanding the legal consequences of such a plea.