(CNN) Actress Lori Loughlin felt she had no other option but to plead not guilty in the college admissions scandal, a source close to Loughlin tells CNN.

Loughlin and her husband, Mossimo Giannulli, pleaded not guilty Monday to conspiracy to commit mail fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering.

Each of the charges is punishable by up to 20 years in prison.

"Lori doesn't understand why she's getting so much criticism for pleading not guilty," the source said. "People must not realize that she had no choice. The plea deal has been taken off the table, and this is the only way they've been told she and Mossimo can avoid jail time and get another plea (deal). They are hoping justice will prevail."

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