We all love good news, stories of hope, and miraculous results. Unfortunately, this isn't always possible when it comes to criminal cases in Douglas, Arapahoe, and Jefferson County. As leading sex crimes lawyers in the Denver metro area, we strive to be honest with our clients. We don't want to offer false hope, or fail to give them an accurate picture of what they are facing. When people hear bad news, or their expectations aren't met, clients often want to shoot the messenger – in this case – their lawyer. Let's delve deeper into why shooting the messenger is a bad idea in your criminal case.

[pullquote align=”center” textalign=”center” width=”90%”]Shooting the messenger (your lawyer) is a bad idea.[/pullquote]

The Truth Will Set You Free – Lies Only Create Deeper Problems

Sometimes I wonder if my clients want me to lie to them. I have been fired from a case because I was “too negative” for their taste. They wanted to shoot the messenger. In reality, I have expertise as a criminal defense lawyer, and I know I need to give them a realistic view of their situation. Lying to them would only create problems down the road. Unfortunately, many lawyers tell potential clients they can “get their case dismissed” before they look at the evidence. They do this in order to secure their client and get paid. At the end of the case, when people are led off to jail or prison in Adams, El Paso, or Bent County, they wish they had hired an honest attorney. Honesty is my job: If I am realistic about a Sexual Assault or Unlawful Sexual Contact case, then I am able to create a realistic plan that will work. Unfortunately, people don't' want to hear the truth. Here are a few common responses to my honesty:

'You are too negative.' 'I don't feel good when you talk to me.' 'You don't have a positive outlook on my case.'

When I am hired onto a case, my role is to examine the evidence – read the police reports, talk to witnesses, and look at the discovery in the case. Then, I create a plan of defense, taking into consideration all the facts of the case. If I focus only on the “good” parts of the case, I won't be prepared to defend my clients when the “bad” stuff comes to light in the courtroom. People don't think this through when they fire me for being negative. Although I deeply care for my clients, I am not their therapist.

Don't Shoot the Messenger: You Want an Honest Attorney

The best lawyer for your case will give you an honest perspective on your case. It won't be all rainbows and unicorns – you have been charged with a crime, after all. A good attorney won't give you an opinion about how the case is going to go until all the evidence is on the table. Giving clients promises about the outcome of their case without all the evidence is unfair. Don't work with a lawyer who makes promises and only gives you good news about your case. If you hire them, at some point you'll be confronted with the harsh reality of your case and be unprepared to defend yourself in court. A good lawyer will be realistic, honest, and willing to defend you no matter what comes up in your case.

Request a Free Consultation

If you or a loved one has been charged with a sex offense, be smart, exercise your right to remain silent, and contact an honest criminal defense attorney at the O'Malley Law Office at
303-830-0880 for a free consultation.

Image courtesy of num_skyman at FreeDigitalPhotos.net