Can an Attorney Help Me if I’m Guilty?
While to some it may seem like a silly question, it’s one of the most commonly-asked things in the law profession:
“Can an attorney help me if I’m guilty?”
The answer? Yes.
Even if you feel that you may be guilty of some–or all– of the charges that are being held against you, all hope is not lost. Attorneys are professionals that provide expertise and defense in the court of law; whether it be on the side of the defense or the prosecution, attorneys provide crucial services for their clients to help them face their trial.
Finding the Right Attorney for You
When preparing for your trial, you’ll want to find an attorney that works for you. In many cases, defendants who feel they are guilty have a misconception that they won’t be able to find an attorney that will represent them.
A good attorney will not cast judgment on what you have or have not done. In fact, a truly good attorney won’t even ask; they will simply ask for details about the case that will help them provide you with the best defense possible.
Your attorney’s opinion of whether you are guilty or not has nothing to do with your defense; what it boils down to is finding an attorney that will simply evaluate the case for what it is and properly defend you to the best of their abilities.
Factual Guilt vs Legal Guilt
When discussing the concept of guilt in a court of law, it comes down to two things: factual guilt vs. legal guilt.
A person’s factual guilt–whether or not they actually committed the crime– is irrelevant in a court of law.
Instead, what is actually discussed is the person’s legal guilt, which is determined by examining both the charges that are presented and the facts that may or may not prove these charges to be true.
The purpose of the trial is to determine your legal guilt through legal proceedings followed by the prosecution. Your attorney’s purpose is to defend you against the prosecution as best as they can to avoid conviction, no matter what the terms of your factual guilt actually are.
Innocent Until Proven Guilty
In the American judicial system, you are considered legally innocent until proven guilty. Under the U.S. Constitution, you have the right to a fair trial and legal defense, no matter the charges that have been brought against you.
If you are facing charges for which you know you may be partially or fully guilty, it is important to keep these things in mind. It’s always best to prepare as best as you can for your trial.
Jeremy Bryant Law offers comprehensive attorney defense services in Kentucky. To get scheduled for a free consultation to discuss your trial, give us a call anytime at 606-261-7381.
For more informative legal blog posts, check out our blog.