as a lawyer what if you knows you're guilty

What if your lawyer knows you’re guilty? Even if you are guilty, a good lawyer can still win your case or have it dismissed based on mitigating circumstances, but only if he knows about them. … Attorney-Client Privilege – Your attorney is bound by the ethics of the legal profession not to reveal whatever you tell him without your permission.

Full Answer

What happens when a lawyer knows a client is guilty?

What if your lawyer knows you’re guilty? Even if you are guilty, a good lawyer can still win your case or have it dismissed based on mitigating circumstances, but only if he knows about them. … Attorney-Client Privilege – Your attorney is bound by the ethics of the legal profession not to reveal whatever you tell him without your permission.

Does a defense lawyer know if the defendant is guilty?

But even if you didn’t know this and have already entered a guilty plea, a good criminal defense lawyer may be able to negotiate a plea for reduced charges. Many of the alternatives that a criminal defense attorney can pursue would likely never have occurred to you because the average person is not likely to be aware that these possibilities even exist!

Do lawyers ask you if you committed the crime?

For instance, a lawyer cannot specifically state that the defendant did not do something the lawyer knows the defendant did do. The lawyer also can't admit guilt against the client's wishes. Instead, the defense lawyer will focus their trial tactics and arguments on the government's failure to prove all the elements of the crime. Example: Sam is charged with shoplifting. Sam admits …

Should I tell my lawyer if I have been charged?

If you know that you are guilty of committing a crime, you may worry that your attorney knows that you are guilty even if he does not ask you whether you committed the crime. This may lead to concerns about how well your lawyer can represent you if he believes that you are guilty. However, an experienced criminal defense attorney knows that the focus should not be on your …

A Lawyer Holds Prosecutors to their Burden of Proof

As a former prosecutor and now as a criminal defense lawyer, I’ve seen it all. I know that police officers and prosecutors overreach and over-charge. But I’m less concerned with what the police say happened that I am with whether the arrest was conducted properly and what the prosecutor can prove.

How a Lawyer Can Help

Police officers are most concerned with getting information they can use to help prove you guilty. It’s not their job to explain the nature of the charges against you, and they’re not on your side.

Why does the defendant lie about rape?

Just because the defendant says he did it doesn't make it so. The defendant may be lying to take the rap for someone he wants to protect, or may be guilty, but only of a different and lesser crime than the one being prosecuted by the district attorney.

What does Sam's lawyer learn about the store security guard?

In addition, Sam's lawyer learns that the store's security guard was at the end of a long overtime shift and had been drinking alcohol. Sam's lawyer can use these facts in an argument for Sam's acquittal. Before trial, Sam's lawyer can argue to the D.A. that the D.A.'s case is too weak to prosecute.

Why is a vigorous defense important?

A vigorous defense is necessary to protect the innocent and to ensure that judges and citizens—and not the police—have the ultimate power to decide who is guilty of a crime. In truth, the defense lawyer almost never really knows whether the defendant is guilty of a charged crime.

What are some examples of criminal trial tactics?

Example: Sam is charged with shoplifting. Sam admits to his lawyer that he took a watch, as charged.

Did Sam's lawyer prove he did it?

But Sam's lawyer cannot ethically state in his argument that Sam "didn't do it," only that the D.A. didn't prove that Sam did do it. While the line between ethical and unethical behavior may seem like—indeed, is—a fine one, it is a line that criminal defense lawyers walk every day on the job.

Can Sam's lawyer argue to the D.A.?

Before trial, Sam's lawyer can argue to the D.A. that the D.A.'s case is too weak to prosecute. At trial, Sam's lawyer can argue to a judge or jury to acquit Sam. No matter what Sam has done, Sam is not legally guilty unless the prosecutor can prove it beyond a reasonable doubt. But Sam's lawyer cannot ethically state in his argument ...

Should defendants tell their lawyers they are guilty?

Defendants who have done the act that forms the basis of their criminal charge often wonder whether they should tell their lawyers. Even if they remain silent, they are concerned that their lawyers will believe that they are guilty, and either won't want to represent them, or will do a poor job. First, understand that what's at stake in your case ...

What happens if you know you are guilty of a crime?

If you know that you are guilty of committing a crime, you may worry that your attorney knows that you are guilty even if he does not ask you whether you committed the crime. This may lead to concerns about how well your lawyer can represent you if he believes that you are guilty. However, an experienced criminal defense attorney knows ...

What does it mean when someone confesses to their attorney?

Even if someone confesses to his attorney, it does not mean that he really did it. He could be covering for someone else or have another reason for lying. In addition, he may not be guilty of this offense, but could have committed a less serious offense.

What is the duty of an attorney?

An attorney has a duty to zealously represent his clients in criminal matters—regardless of the person’s guilt. Under our criminal justice system, everyone charged with a crime has a right to a vigorous defense. This is a protection all accused people have under the United States Constitution. An attorney does not have a duty to prove ...

Why is it important to take aggressive defenses?

It is crucial to take this aggressive approach because it can result in the charges against you being dismissed or reduced to a lesser offense with less serious penalties.

Do attorneys ask about guilt?

For these and other reasons, attorneys often do not ask about guilt when talking to clients in criminal cases and instead focus their questions to clients on building a strong defense. While your attorney has a duty to provide you with a defense if there is one to raise, this does not mean that he can lie for you.

Is a person guilty of a crime if they are not guilty?

Whether you committed the crime or not, you are not legally guilty unless the prosecutor has enough evidence to convince a judge or jury to find you guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Does an attorney have a duty to prove innocence?

An attorney does not have a duty to prove a client’s innocence, so it does not really matter to him whether the person is guilty. His duty is to prove the person’s defenses to show that he is not legally guilty.

What is the job of a defense lawyer?

The job of defense lawyers is to try to help their clients avoid being found guilty. The legal profession thinks this makes sense because there are rules to be followed in proving a case and those rules have value in themselves, even if sometimes the rules prevent a guilty person from being found guilty.

What is the difference between knowing something and proving it?

There is a big difference between knowing something and proving it. A lawyer who knows a client is guilty can take steps to prevent the state from proving guilt. (E.g., motion to exclude evidence, cross examining witnesses.)

What happens if the evidence is dismissed?

If the evidence is dismissed, the prosecutor could decide not to press the matter cause they have to prove that the accused was in possession of evidence that he cannot show the jury. Conversely, a defense lawyer might strongly recomend that his client take a deal in order to minimize jail time.

What is number 4 in public defenders?

Public Defenders fight for justice daily, in spite of item #1. Also Number 4 is a generalization about individual officers. There are in fact officers who strive to follow the law and do things correctly. The problem is that too often the system doesn't care about the officers who don't.

Who does Rule 11 not apply to?

Rule 11 does not apply to members of organized crime, drug dealers, career criminals, or potential informants. Nobody really wants justice.

Do appellate judges believe in police officers?

All appellate judges are aware of Rule 8, yet many pretend to believe the trial judges who pretend to believe the police officers. Most judges disbelieve defendants about whether their constitutional rights have been violated, even if they are telling the truth.

What if a lawyer was wrong in their belief that the client was guilty?

Furthermore, what if the lawyer was wrong in their belief that the client was guilty, but continued to act for them and let that belief influence how well they defended the client? Then if the client was convicted, the lawyer would be at least partly responsible for a great injustice. Furthermore, whilst the client can appeal a judge or jury’s decision, if the lawyer decided their client was guilty and let that affect their performance, that would not be a ground for appeal unless that could somehow be proven (which in practice may be very hard to do). It would be extremely improper and dangerous for a lawyer to engage in such hubris.

Who decides whether a client is guilty or not?

That role belongs to a judge or jury, as the case may be. Assuming that no evidence is excluded from the trial, the judge or jury reaching the verdict will have all the evidence that the lawyer has to decide for themselves whether or not the client is guilty. If the lawyer refuses to act for a client because they believe they are guilty, ...

What are the rules for lawyers in Australia?

Nevertheless, in Australia there are clear rules for lawyers in this situation. Client confidentiality. One important rule that applies is client confidentiality. Even if a client confesses to the lawyer, the lawyer is still bound by confidentiality to not disclose that communication to others. If the lawyer is ever called as a witness in court ...

Why is it ethical to defend a client who the lawyer knows or believes is guilty?

The first reason why it is perfectly ethical to defend a client who the lawyer knows or believes is guilty is that the lawyer is not the person whose role it is to decide whether or not the client is guilty. As Johnathan Goldberg has said, “a defending advocate is not there to stand in judgment upon his own client”.

What happens if a client takes the advice of a lawyer?

If the client takes the advice, then the lawyer has acted in the client’s best interests even though they have been convicted on their own plea. Of course, the interests of justice will also have been furthered in that a guilty person will have been convicted and a trial will have been avoided. However, if the client listens to ...

What happens if you lose client confidentiality?

Weakening client confidentiality could result in innocent people being convicted, or mitigating facts not being raised during sentence. Duty to not mislead the court. Notwithstanding client confidentiality, if the client admitted his or her guilt to the lawyer, the obligation to not mislead the court would still apply.

What happens if a lawyer refuses to act for a client?

If the lawyer refuses to act for a client because they believe they are guilty, the lawyer is to a degree assuming the judge or jury’s role as being the decider of guilt. As David Whitehouse QC has pointed out: