Brittney Griner has pleaded guilty to drug charges in Russia, telling the court she "packed in a hurry" and didn't intend to break the law when she brought cannabis oil into the country. 
If convicted, the WNBA star and Olympic medalist faces up to 10 years in prison. Criminal Defense Attorney, Marie Pereira, explains why Griner's being held in Russia, and what might happen to her next.

Opening Bell

What Happens Next To Brittney Griner?

So here to discuss its criminal defense Attorney Marie. Pereira Marie, thank you so much for being here. Always good to see you. But can you start off by giving us some insight into why Greiner pleaded guilty. And was it the right move for her? She probably pleaded guilty because 99% of people who go up against the Russian criminal justice system are convicted and maybe her attorney advised her to do so so strategically, that's probably why she pleaded guilty. So just earlier this week, you know, she wrote a letter to President biden urging the administration to help her and other american detainees get out of Russia. So what can the president actually do to help grinder especially now that she's uh just pleaded guilty. First of all, I feel really bad for Brittney Griner and her family and um this is a terrible situation. It couldn't have happened at a worse time because of the ongoing political acrimony between the US and Russia. That whole thing exasperates the situation for her. I don't see that there's a whole lot that President biden can do because of the current state of affairs between biden and Putin Putin right now. I mean they are talking about maybe a prisoner exchange but the prisoner they have in mind is Viktor bout's an arms dealer who is a national security threat. Is biden going to do something like that to exchange a person who was selling arms to kill americans for a talented woman who accidentally violated Russia's drug laws. I don't see that happening. Unfortunately those crimes are very different from what they are accused of doing. But you know, Russia has also denied that the grinder being held, there is maybe a political pond move for them. What does Russia hope to gain from keeping grinder in prison there? They're trying to leverage a prisoner swap. They're hoping that America loves Brittney Griner to an extent that they pressure the biden administration to engage in the swap for prisoners. That's what I think they're doing. And they're making a point and let me just point out, I'm not condoning what's happening in Russia, but you know, people are saying that she's being held captive. The fact is Brittney Griner broke Russian laws not to say that the laws are right, but that is that country's laws. And she was well aware of it because she's been dealing and playing over there for a number of years. So I don't think her being characterized as being held hostage is accurate, even though I disagree with her being arrested. So what does this overall situation tell you about the state of relations between the US and Russia? Of course, you know, the U. S. Has has been providing Ukraine with billions of dollars in aid to fight off the Russians. Clearly they're not happy about this situation and they're using this situation with Brittany Brittany Griner to make a point, they're using her as a ploy. But those are there laws and they treat their citizens with the same amount of disdain who are accused with using drugs as they're treating her? They have a zero tolerance for drug use. It's not like in America where any type of drug use is tolerated and treated as an addiction, they don't see it that way. Their ignorance just goes beyond criminalizing drug use. They have zero tolerance. So in your mind then she's not being treated unfairly. She's being treated in the same terms of citizens there. Yes, because they have a zero tolerance for drug use and that's what it is. They see it as something you can stop. They don't see it like an addiction. They don't have that diversion programs. zero tolerance abstinence. That's how they look at it for their own citizens. Now that we're at this point, what is the path forward for Greiner? Could she be coming home soon? Any hope for that? There may be hope, but again, she pled guilty but she didn't admit intent. I'm not an expert in Russian law, but I know even an american law when a defendant pleads guilty and wants a plea deal. The prosecution, I used to be a prosecutor wants the defendant to al acute and admit guilt, not mistake if it's a specific intent crime. You did this on this day and you knew what you were doing, we do this because it speaks to what potential for rehabilitation a defendant has and if you're not admitting that you did something wrong, What potential for rehabilitation do you really have? So the court system could look at it the same way. And her just admitting I made a mistake may not fly well with the judge and end up giving her a plea deal for less years. Alright, well, this is one of those cases we're gonna definitely be following up on and keeping a close eye on. Thank you so much. Criminal Defense Attorney Maria Pereira.