If you are innocent, why do you need a stinking lawyer?

Question

Don't you believe that the police are your freinds?

Answer 1

if you are accused of a crime, you need an attorney. Do not fool yourself into thinking that since you are innocent, the truth will come out, and you will be exonerated. While we are supposed to be Innocent until proven guilty, and the burden of proof falls on the prosecution, keep in mind that DAs and prosecutors in general want convictions, and the easier the better. If you don't have an attorney, they might consider you an easy mark.

Whatever you do, keep your mouth SHUT without an attorney present.

Do not expect the DA/prosecutors to play fair, either. Some (not all) will coerce "witnesses" and manufacture evidence to help them, and destroy/hide evidence that hurts them. Look at DA nifong in the Duke case. Think that was an isolated case? I wish it were, but it's not.

I have the feeling your eyes are about to be opened to how our"justice system" really works. I hope you've been saving up for a rainy day, because a storm is coming. You only get as much "justice" as you can afford.

Check out your attorney before hiring him, too. There are a ton of incompetent lawyers out there, that will suck you dry and not help you in the least. If you are without funds, you have other options besides the court appointed public defender, as well. Contact your state's BAR association, or a local university that has a law school and you may be eligible for representation.

Can I ask what the crime is that you are accused of?

Also, you need to learn about the law yourself. Google the crime you are accused of, google rules of evidence, court procedures, etc. The more YOU know, the more you can help your attorney. Make a timeline of events, document everything possible, get verifiable documents of yoru wherabouts, etc. such as credit card receipts, bank statements, testimony from ANYONE that can testify for you. Also, start digging on any witness that will testify agsinst you. If you can prove they have any motivation to lie, or have lied/comitted a crime in the past, it helps your attorney impeach them.

Don't fool yourself. Trials are WAR. Good luck. As I said, DAs want convictions, so they wll also try and intimidate you by threatening even moe charges, or telling you it will be all right if you just come clean, etc. The police, in this case, are NOT your friends at all, but a rather tricky enemy. As are the DAs. The rules of this fight are not what you are used to, so find someone who knows them and knows how to fight FOR YOU.

Answer 2

The simple answer is to follow the court rules. The prosecution knows the system & someone accused of a crime needs a representative who also knows the system. A stinking lawyer will be able to better ensure your voice is heard, the things that are favorable to proving your innocence actually get into trial.
And the police are my friends, most of them anyway. But it is not the police who prosecute cases. By the time things get to trial, the police are no more than witnesses.

Answer 3

Because the prosecutor is going to use every legal advantage to secure a conviction, and if you don't have someone using the law in your defense, you're very likely to lose.

The idea that innocence always prevails is wonderfully idealistic, and very naive. In reality, the best lawyer prevails.

Answer 4

What about people who need not to just defend but to prosecute, if the state doesnt pick it up? No such thing as a public prosecutor. You would think a competent judge should be able to sort out obvious things without lawyers

Answer 5

the police are your friends. once they hand the case to the prosecutor then you are guilty until represented by good lawyers.