What Happens if a Defense Attorney Knows his Client is Guilty in Minneapolis?
After being arrested, it’s understandable for you to worry that a Minnesota lawyer might refuse to take your case. After all, who would want to represent a guilty person? While the fear that telling defense Attorney the truth regarding their arrest might cause their legal counsel to quit the case, the reality is that attorneys have an obligation to advocate for their clients—guilty or innocent.
Minnesota’s Rules of Professional Conduct place a strict ethical obligation on defense attorneys to zealously represent their clients, even if they believe them to be guilty. The duties include confidentiality for the client, as well as the obligation to avoid problems with perjury and false evidence.
As it affects your constitutional rights, the primary role of your criminal defense attorney is holding the government to its burden of proof. It is not enough for the prosecuting attorney to believe in your guilt. In the criminal legal system, the burden is proof beyond a reasonable doubt. Your attorney has an obligation to help you fight back against the prosecution and pursue a fair outcome in your case.
If you were arrested for criminal charges in Minnesota, you could benefit from discussing your options with the attorneys of Gerald Miller. Our firm is proud to advocate for the accused, and we look forward to discussing your case during a free consultation. Call today to learn more.
The Difference Between Factual and Legal Guilt
Definitions are important when considering the concept of guilt. To understand factual guilt, the person either committed the alleged criminal act or they did not. The concept of legal guilt is far more complex because of the subtleties of Minnesota criminal law, which comes to whether or not a person is guilty of violating a criminal statute.
With factual guilt, there is no flexibility. The conduct happened or it did not. Unfortunately, it’s possible to be factually guilty of an act yet not being legally guilty of a crime.
Guilt in a criminal case revolves around what the state can prove. If the prosecutor doesn’t have sufficient evidence to show beyond a reasonable doubt that you have committed a crime, you are entitled to an acquittal. In other words, you could be factually guilty of an offense but legally found innocent.
Based upon these concepts, it’s essential to have the support of a criminal defense attorney even if you’re factually guilty of the offense behind your arrest. The government might not have sufficient evidence to meet its burden and obtain a conviction. Alternatively, there could be legal grounds that would allow your attorney to get evidence against you tossed from trial.
The Obligations of an Attorney in Minnesota
The objective of your criminal defense lawyer is to help build a sound legal strategy that exploits weaknesses in the government case and presents all available defenses – not judge you or your actions. For many people their attorneys become their closest confidants during the difficult process of tackling the criminal justice system. Guilty or innocent, lawyers have an obligation to zealously advocate for criminal defendants.
Ultimately, providing a diligent legal defense is the defense attorney’s duty no matter what they think about their client. Often, this means not taking into account what a defendant has admitted to. False confessions are possible, and it is not uncommon for a person to be unsure if they actually committed the act they have been accused of.
Limitations on What an Attorney Can Do in Minnesota
Your lawyer would certainly pursue any strategy available to defend your rights, but there are restrictions to legal representation. In addition to the obligation an attorney owes to their client, they also have a separate obligation to act within the ethical rules imposed on the legal field. Under the Minnesota Rules of Professional Conduct, there are some things your attorney is barred from doing during your case.
Legal Guidance: Your attorney is there to advise, but it’s not appropriate to make important decisions on your behalf. What’s more, they cannot go against your decisions when it comes to entering a plea. If you have not admitted your guilt, your attorney cannot do so against your wishes.
Confidentiality: Attorneys cannot reveal their client’s secrets, even if they know the client is guilty.
Issues with Evidence: Your lawyer also has to carefully balance serving as your legal counsel and adhering to ethical rules. Specifically, your attorney is barred from lying to the judge even if it would be in your best interest to do so. For example, an attorney cannot lie about a fact that they know for certain is untrue. In addition:
- Perjury: If an attorney knows their client intends to commit perjury, they must take steps to prevent it, which might include withdrawing from the case.
- False Evidence: Attorneys cannot knowingly present false evidence or offer false testimony.
For these and many other reasons, many criminal defense lawyers don’t ask about guilt. Without that knowledge, attorneys have more freedom to aggressively pursue defense strategies while remaining within the ethical boundaries that are set by the legal profession.
Should I Tell My Attorney Everything in Minnesota?
Some people struggle with coming completely clean with their attorney or withholding facts they deem negative. While some attorneys might want plausible deniability when it comes to the facts of a particular case, they must understand all of the relevant facts. There is nothing worse in the eyes of an attorney than being blindsided by a fact that their client knew but failed to disclose.
It is important to be fully honest with your attorney. Leaving out details in your case could make it harder to pursue all defense options. Plus, lying about aspects of your case could put both you and your attorney in an even worse position.
Why Defendants Lie to Their Attorneys
Those arrested for Minnesota criminal charges stretch the truth, embellish stories, or outright lie to their defense attorneys during the course of a criminal case. Some of these reasons include:
- Shame: Many people charged with a crime already feel judged, and they do not want to feel additional shame from their legal counsel.
- Worry: It is not unusual for a person to be concerned that their attorney won’t fight as diligently if they know about criminal activity.
- Benefit: For whatever reason, a defendant might believe that it is in their best interest if their attorney doesn’t have the complete story regarding some aspects of the case. This could involve anything from an omission to an outright untruth.
- Denial: Some people are in denial about their circumstances. They right refuse to admit that there are facts in the case that could establish guilt.
Not being fully honest with your attorney can be problematic, but false testimony can be especially damaging. If your attorney relies on the false statements that you have provided, there could be consequences for your defense.
Your Attorney is Your Advocate in Minnesota
There are numerous roles in the judicial system, but judgment is left up to the judge and jury. Your criminal defense lawyer’s role is to serve as the advocate for you as the accused, free of criticism, condemnation, or opinion.
Bear in mind that defense attorneys have chosen a career path that means they’ll regularly defend people who have unquestionably committed crimes. They’ve made it their livelihood to fight for their clients. It is not only their duty to zealously advocate for them, but it is also the most basic aspect of this type of legal work.
Your lawyer is dedicated to protecting your rights in the criminal process and obtaining a favorable outcome. You might not obtain a dismissal or full acquittal, but your attorney will explore all options. In many criminal cases, this involves pleading guilty to an offense and accepting a plea agreement that provides for a penalty that is typically less than what you might have received during the course of your trial.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if a client tells their lawyer they are guilty in Minneapolis?
In Minnesota, as in most jurisdictions, there’s a strong attorney-client privilege. This means that anything a client communicates to their attorney in the context of legal representation is generally confidential. Even if a client admits guilt to their attorney, the lawyer is ethically bound to keep that information private. This privilege is crucial for ensuring that clients feel comfortable and safe sharing information with their attorneys, which is essential for effective legal representation.
Should you admit guilt to your defense attorney?
Yes, you should absolutely admit guilt to your defense attorney. Your attorney’s job is to protect your rights and interests, regardless of whether you’re guilty or not. By being honest with your attorney, you allow them to develop the best possible defense strategy. They can explore potential defenses, negotiate with the prosecution, or prepare for trial based on your specific circumstances.
Can a lawyer snitch on his client?
No, a lawyer cannot snitch on their client. As mentioned earlier, the attorney-client privilege is a fundamental principle of legal ethics. It protects clients from having their confidential communications revealed to the prosecution or other parties. A lawyer who violates this privilege could face serious disciplinary action, including disbarment.
Discuss Your Legal Options with Gerald Miller in Minnesota
If you were charged with a crime in Minnesota, you are entitled to legal counsel. You can hire your choice of attorney who will advocate on your behalf and help you pursue the outcome in your case that you deserve.
Time is of the essence to get started with building the strongest defense strategy possible. The attorneys of Gerald Miller are ready to help. Our team is proud to advocate for the accused, and we will use every resource available to help you get a fair outcome in your criminal case. We understand how important it is for you to have an advocate who will fight for your freedom no matter what. To learn more about how we could help, contact us right away for a free consultation.
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