Working With Your Criminal Defense Lawyer

Learn how to work effectively with your criminal defense lawyer.

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Your lawyer is your advocate, and should fight to get the best possible outcome in your criminal case. Be sure you understand your rights and responsibilities, too.

Best Practices for Lawyers and Clients

You are entitled to vigorous representation and candid advice.

Your Lawyer’s Duty to Keep Things Confidential
Your lawyer must keep your confidences, with rare exceptions.
Decisions That Only the Client Can Make
Several key decisions, such as whether to testify, belong only to you.
Plead or Go to Trial: Who Decides?
The choice of whether to plead or go to trial is yours--but you are entitled to your lawyer's candid advice.
Representing a Client Whom the Lawyer Thinks Is Guilty
Good lawyers don't draw conclusions as to their client's guilt--that's the job of the judge or jury.

Commonly Asked Questions

These questions often occur to defendants.

If I give something to my lawyer, can I expect him to keep it away from the police?
Lawyers are required to turn over certain items to the police.
I told my lawyer that I plan to commit a crime in the future. Is this confidential information?
Don't expect your lawyer to remain silent after you share a plan to commit a crime.
I told my lawyer I’m planning on telling a lie on the stand. What will happen?
Lawyers may not offer testimony that they know is false.
I can't continue to pay my private lawyer. Can she withdraw over my objections?
A judge may allow the lawyer to withdraw, but not always.
My lawyer isn’t keeping me informed on what’s going on. What can I do?
Good communication with your lawyer starts with a conversation about just that.