April 21, 2023
When you’ve been accused of a crime, it’s hard to know who to trust. You might feel tempted to hold information back or outright lie about your involvement. Keep in mind that your lawyer is on your side and is bound by attorney-client privilege. Anything you say to your lawyer will be kept confidential, and there is absolutely no benefit in lying. Here are just a few of the reasons you should always be honest with your lawyer:
Honesty Builds Trust
If you want your lawyer to trust you, then you need to be honest. You and your lawyer are a team, and you need to work together to achieve the best outcome in court. That can’t happen if you don’t trust each other.
You’ll Save Time – And Money
Whether you’re bending the truth or just withholding information from your lawyer, it could end up costing you time and money. Without having all the correct information, your lawyer might end up wasting time and making decisions that aren’t in your best interests. This will lead to delays that will end up being expensive. Being honest from the start will help your lawyer make the right decisions the first time around.
Building a Stronger Legal Defense
Your lawyer can’t effectively fight for your rights or plan a strong defense if she doesn’t have the whole story. Don’t risk your lawyer being blindsided in court or at trial when it comes out that you’ve been lying about something important. It can significantly harm your defense.
Influencing Settlement or Plea Agreement Negotiations
Being dishonest with your lawyer not only makes you look bad, but it can also end up making your lawyer look bad too. Your lawyer is paid to negotiate on your behalf for a better settlement or plea agreement, and if the prosecution finds out she is lying, they might revoke their agreement.
If you need a defense attorney after being charged with a crime in Pima County, Janet Altschuler can help. To set up a free consultation, contact us online or call us at 520-247-1789 or 520-200-5003.
