Should I Hire a Criminal Defense Lawyer if I’m Not Guilty?

Hiring a criminal defense attorney when you are faced with any legal accusations and charges is critical, even if you know you are innocent. It is misleading to believe that only people who are guilty hire defense attorneys. Having your own Washington criminal defense lawyer from Puget Law Group ensures your rights remain protected throughout this challenging time.

If I’m Not Guilty, Why do I Need a Criminal Defense Attorney?

A criminal defense attorney’s job is to ensure you do not face charges or suffer consequences in cases of not being guilty. However, it is the job of the prosecutor to do whatever it takes to prove that you are guilty. Without legal representation, strategy, and exceptional legal experience by your side, you are putting your future on the line if you go to court without an attorney.

Though most judges and prosecutors want to ensure those who are responsible suffer the consequences associated with a crime under the law, that does not always occur. There are many situations in which mistakes, missing information, bias, or other factors get in the way of ensuring your voice is heard. Even when it is heard, you need to know what to say to achieve the best possible outcome in your case.

• You could say something to the prosecutor that creates doubt.
• You may find that your rights are not protected under the law.
• There are situations where you may just want to explain what happened, but that could be used out of context to convict you.
• Your seamlessly harmless statements or the facts in the case are used against you.
• Your defense strategy is destroyed by what the prosecutor infers from your statement, putting doubt in the minds of jurors who should see your innocence.

Why Being Innocent Is Not Enough When Going to Court

Unfortunately, being innocent is not a good enough reason not to hire a highly experienced defense attorney. It may be the most important thing you do to protect your future and your quality of life. Many times, our clients tell us that they are innocent and it should be easy to prove, yet there are many others in jail now who say the same thing.

The bottom line is that no matter how confident you are in your case, you absolutely need a criminal defense attorney. Our attorney will provide you with the guidance you need to navigate what you are facing. Some of the ways we can help you include:

• Showing that evidence against you is false
• Proving that the prosecutor does not have a case
• Protecting you from saying things that could be used against you
• Working to find the evidence and witnesses who can prove your innocence
• Explore the other legal strategies that may be applicable in your case

What Are the Consequences of a Guilty Verdict?

Another way to look at the value of working with a criminal defense attorney is simply to look at what you face if you are convicted for any reason. Assume the worst happens. You could be facing a variety of complications, including:

• Time spent in jail away from your family
• Costly fines that may lead to the loss of your assets
• Needing to renew or replace a driver’s license, which makes going to work difficult
• Loss of professional licenses
• Loss of earnings that could impact your family
• Deportation
• Loss of your right to vote
• Loss of visitation of your children

What this guilty verdict can do is limit your future significantly. Though you may believe it is clearly a case that there is no way you will use it, the risks of going to court and being convicted are very real. Before you consider doing that without an attorney, consider the value of bringing one in to represent you from Puget Law Group.

What Can a Criminal Defense Attorney Do for You if You Are Innocent?

In situations where you know you are innocent, your criminal defense attorney must work to make that clear to the court and the jury alike. To do that, your attorney will need to take every step necessary to prove that you are being charged unfairly for some reason. Consider the ways our attorneys work closely with our clients:

• We understand the charges you are facing. We know not just what they are but why they are being assigned to you based on evidence and the definition of the law.
• Your attorney will be able to find evidence in many cases. Even if there is no evidence to prove your innocence, our team will work to exhaust all possibilities.
• Provide you with a legal defense strategy. We work with our clients to put a legal defense strategy in place that is well-defined and aims to be highly effective.
• Expect us to fight for your innocence. We will not encourage you to simply walk away from your charges if you do not believe you are guilty. We will remain by your side to fight for them.
• We are powerful negotiators. There are times when you may be guilty of a lesser crime, or you may find that taking a plea agreement minimizes some of the worst potential consequences. We will negotiate diligently in these cases.
• We have client testimonials that show how strongly we advocate for our clients.

Our criminal defense attorneys are honest and transparent with you about what you can expect, and you can learn more by reading our FAQs. We will outline all the risks of going to court, what type of evidence you need to prove you are innocent, and the resources you need to move beyond this limitation in your life. You simply do not want to face court alone.

Let Our Criminal Defense Attorneys Fight for You

When you work with Puget Law Group, we ensure you always get the very best ability to prove your innocence in a court of law. As trusted, experienced, and aggressive negotiators, we ensure our clients have every opportunity possible to protect themselves from the worst potential outcome they are facing. Even if you are innocent, we highly encourage you to contact us immediately to discuss your case.