Is It Possible for a Criminal Defense Lawyer to Defend Someone Guilty?

It is an age-old scenario where the accused who are defended in court are acquitted. It often causes public outrage against the lawyers who defended them. There are also cases when the public finds out a person was guilty and a lawyer knew it all along and still zealously defended them. 

This article discusses if a lawyer should defend someone guilty. Under the law, everyone has the right to representation and defense. If you find yourself accused of a criminal case in Chicago, know your rights and hire criminal lawyers in Chicago.

Although Chicago is not the most dangerous city in the United States, it is considered to have a high crime rate. Crime here is higher than the US average rate. The state was responsible for nearly half of the increase in homicides in 2016, even after the nation has experienced historic lows in crime.

Before establishing your trust with your lawyer, you might wonder about two things: 

• First question: Does your lawyer think you did the crime?

• Second question: Regardless of your lawyer’s opinion of your guilt or innocence, can he or she put that aside and adequately defend you?

If you interview most criminal lawyers, they will tell you that the answer to the first question will not matter. It is not a lawyer’s job to accuse and decide the guilt of the accused. The real issue is the second question which is, can the lawyer defend you properly? 

When choosing a lawyer for your defense, contact a reputable firm like Summit Defense with extensive experience in criminal cases. They will give expert advice and act in your best interests before, during, and after the court proceedings.

The reason is the lawyer’s actual role is to provide you with a defense for the crime of which you are being accused. The most critical thing when looking for a defense lawyer is to find someone who takes their legal responsibility seriously. They will do everything to come up with a detailed and passionate defense in your favor.

If you are accused of a crime in Chicago, it is critical to defend your rights by hiring the best criminal lawyers in Chicago. The state is considered to have one of the highest crime rates in the nation. Currently, it is a highly populated location made up of 77 communities. 

Although it is generally considered safe to visit, it has a fair amount of head grabbing crime. Although homicide rates remain to be high, murder rates have dropped considerably.

What happens during a trial? 

A criminal lawyer’s role is to mount a defense for you against accusations being presented. In a court trial, there only has to be probable cause that you were the one who committed the crime. During the trial, the prosecutor’s job is to prove that the accused is guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Because of this, the burden of proof will be upon the prosecution. The trial’s point is to prove or fail to prove that the accused is guilty of the crime that is being charged. It is not your lawyer’s role to know whether or not you are guilty of the crime.

A defense lawyer needs to possess negotiation skills. Combined with their experience and expertise, this skill proves to be extremely valuable during the legal proceedings. Critical thinking and negotiation skills can make or break a case, and knowing that your lawyer possesses these qualities could give you more peace of mind.

What does guilty mean?

In court proceedings, there is a distinction between factual guilt and legal guilt. Factual guilt is not being discussed in the trial. Factual guilt pertains to whether you are actually guilty. What is being discussed in the trial is legal guilt. Does the prosecution have enough capability, evidence, and witnesses to prove the charges against you? They must prove your guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

A competent criminal defense lawyer will examine if the evidence presented by the prosecution has been unlawfully obtained, which may be inadmissible in court. Your defense lawyer will also cross-examine the witnesses to determine if they’re telling the whole truth or exaggerating. During the court sessions, your lawyer will convince the judge, jury, or both that the evidence against you does not meet the highest standard of proof and thus should not result in a guilty verdict. 

Conclusion

It is critical to know your rights, especially if you are accused of a crime in Chicago. Under the law, you have the right to representation by a defense lawyer. It will help if you hire the best criminal lawyers in Chicago. 

Although Chicago is one of the most progressive states in the entire nation, some of its areas are among the worst slum areas in the country. It suffers hard times even under the best economic conditions. Because of this, there are typically petty crimes and violence occurring in these neighborhoods.

Clients from all walks of life may need legal advice, especially when facing criminal charges. Find a trustworthy and reputable law firm in your area and contact them in times of need. Finding a lawyer to stand by your side could spell the difference between being found innocent or guilty.