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Working With Your Lawyer

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.

One of the biggest decisions in a criminal case is whether to plead guilty or go to trial. Learn how this decision is made and who makes it?

Only the judge or jury, not your lawyer, can decide whether you’re guilty.

Lawyers are ethically bound to keep their clients informed on important developments in the case, and to respond to inquiries.

Your lawyer must keep your confidences, with rare exceptions.

Not all attorney-client communications are privileged.

Planning to testify falsely risks your defense, your lawyer, and a charge of perjury.

Empower Yourself: DIY Products by Nolo

Sidestep the lawyers with do-it-yourself books, documents, and software.

The criminal justice system is complicated. Understand it and your rights.
Legal Research: Take the law into your own hands.

Nolo offers hundreds of consumer-friendly, do-it-yourself legal products for all types of legal situations. Browse our full product list.

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Learn About Our Team

Our editors have over 100 years of combined experience practicing law. These professionals have worked in a wide range of legal areas, from estate planning to criminal law to business formation and beyond. They’re experts at explaining complicated legal issues in easy-to-understand terms.

Learn more about the team that manages Nolo’s articles, books, and DIY tools.

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