Pretty sure it’s per-case per-judge basis, not a general rule. Generalizing over a half-confessed guy makes a good scary headline. In the article the guy unlock

Pretty sure it’s per-case per-judge basis, not a general rule. Generalizing over a half-confessed guy makes a good scary headline. In the article the guy unlocked his phone app (a hint he was initially talked into confession). Which gave extra evidence to what his sister claimed. And it was a csam case which rendered him way less sympathetic. Remove any of that and the balance may change. The judge has to find a reasonable cause for contempt first. Would they charge him with contempt if he just lawyered up and forgot everything from the start? All that said it doesn’t mean you want to risk it for some company, even remotely. The guy probably weighted both deals after realizing where he’s in and chose a lighter one. You may want to not get either one.