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Would I actually find a lawyer who is sick enough to take on this case? What are the chances that I would get off? Has this ever been done before?
...I'm not planning anything, I'm not a psycho. I was just watching one of those crime shows and got curious...

2007-06-01 03:15:55 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government Law & Ethics

10 answers

First of all, you don't call a lawyer and TELL him or her to defend you! You ASK him or her to take your case. Second, whether or not the lawyer takes your case is NOT a reflection on the lawyer's mental health. A criminal defense attorney's job is to provide the best possible representation for his or her client. Most of them won't ask if your are guilty and don't want you to tell them. The smart client will NOT, because if you tell the attorney you are guilty and let's say you want to testify on your own behalf, your lawyer faces a dilemma. If you are not going to testify to having done it, your attorney cannot put you on the stand knowing you are going to lie. Your attorney also cannot stop you from testifying, as it is your constitutional right. In that instance, the ethical attorney will go to the judge and ask to be released from representation based on ethical differences, and usually the judge knows what that means--then your judge knows you are guilty!
Your chances of getting off depend on the strength of the prosecution's case and the skill of your attorney. The prosecution has the burden of proving every element of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt. If they fail to do so or if your attorney succeeds in raising enough reasonable doubt, you will be acquitted whether you committed the offense or not. The criminal defense attorney's main function is to ensure that the prosecution does its job.

2007-06-01 15:28:19 · answer #1 · answered by legaleagle 4 · 0 0

The characterization of your act as "murder" constitutes a legal conclusion that you are probably unqualified to make. This type of determination may only be made by a judge or jury, not by the defendant. While you may know that you killed someone, the homicide may or may not constitute "murder;" it may be manslaughter or you may have a valid legal defense. The lawyer's job is to provide you with that defense and to put the state to the test of proving you guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. This is not only for yout benefit, but also for the benefit of other defendants who may or may not be guilty. Simply because you "think" you are guilty is not enough. So, the lawyer you hire, or the one assigned to you by the state, is not "sick;" he or she is only doing what the justice system demands be done.

2007-06-01 10:26:22 · answer #2 · answered by Judge 3 · 0 1

Yes, you'd find a lawyer to defend you, but they'd probably want a large retainer up front. I'd be surprised if you could find one for less than $5,000. Money soothes a troubled soul.

Would you get off? Who knows. There are lots of variables to these things. That's why you'll never see a book "Pro Se Homicide Defense for Dummies".

2007-06-01 10:27:54 · answer #3 · answered by open4one 7 · 0 0

Absolutely. Some lawyers want to see everyone get good representation, some want to make money. Either way, you will def get a lawyer.

My thing is, if you know your client killed somebody for no good reason, you can still defend them, but that defense should be pretty minimal. Just tell him "Throw yourself on the mercy of the court". That's stil a defense,

2007-06-01 10:23:30 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

It's not being "sick" it's their DUTY. They must defend both (allegedly) guilty and (supposedly) innocent persons.

Your chances of 'getting off' would depend on the quality of your lawyer. There is a chance that you may go free even if you are guilty.

And YES, of course it's been done. This is how the law has been set up for hundreds of years.

2007-06-01 10:43:45 · answer #5 · answered by Enchanted 7 · 0 0

I think the only way he would defend you is if they could prove Insanity at the time or it was accidental, or even self defence. But just to go out a murder someone and then admit to it I don't think you would get much defense from the lawyer. They don't have to take on your case if they don't want to, especially if they know there going to lose it.

2007-06-01 10:35:12 · answer #6 · answered by 24Special 5 · 0 1

Of course the lawyer would defend you.

I know a couple of defense attorneys who always tell me that they are not defending their client, they are defending the process and the constitution. The actual guilt of their client is irrelevent to them. Many of them firmly believe they are also defending the public against police excess and therefore they are doing a greater good even if a criminal goes free.

2007-06-01 10:21:08 · answer #7 · answered by Pooky Bear the Sensitive 5 · 1 0

It is the job of a defense lawyer to defend their client regardless of the client's guilt or innocence. If you have the money I doubt you would have any trouble finding a lawyer.

2007-06-01 10:19:06 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2 0

As a officer of the court the lawyer would have to tell you to turn yourself in, and then they would take it from there. But they do have a responsibility to the law first.

2007-06-01 10:19:22 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

You'd have fun! Most lawyers don't ask their clients if they are guilty or not. They want to win their case and they just want to know what the police and the prosecutor have on you. If you do this and say ANYTHING to the police - you are STUPID!

2007-06-01 10:21:23 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

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