Legal Idiots. This one has bugged me for a long time. Almost everyone pleads not guilty at their first court appearance, it’s the only way to retain an attorney and spend some time to see if you can strike some sort of a deal with the prosecution. You don’t just walk into court and plead guilty without at least seeing what the other side has to offer.
I see this all of the time in the media. “Suspect in murder pleads not guilty.” Well, no shit. Shoe Bomber Suspect Denies Charges. Richard C. Reid, accused of trying to blow up a transatlantic flight last month, pleaded not guilty today. [The New York Times: National]