There are other pressures for people falsely accused of crimes against children, especially sex crimes. In the public’s — and many prosecutors’ — minds, such people are guilty until proven innocent. To avoid the public humiliation and ruined reputations, they often confess to a lesser charge — that is, they take a plea. These days, that doesn’t save them from collateral damage, as they will usually be required to register as sex offenders after serving their sentences.