I think I'm guilty—now what?
Legal vs. Justice.
Many people make the mistake of letting a guilty conscience rule their decision making process during what is a very crucial time in their lives. It is important to realize that we operate within a “Legal” system, not a “Justice” system. While you may feel compelled to accept your guilt and throw yourself at the mercy of the Court, you must understand that the Judge may not be able to differentiate between your sincere apology and one of the many hundreds of insincere ones they hear on a regular basis.
Minimize the damage.
If you feel guilty, that is understandable, but that guilt will not go away by punishing yourself more than is necessary. The best thing you can do for yourself, your family and even society at large is to quickly get yourself back on the right track. Nobody benefits from someone who is behind bars instead of in the workforce. Trust me, there are enough people who will rush to condemn you for your mistakes, don’t be one of them. Instead, work to minimize the damages and move forward on a positive path. That is what is best for all.