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 Christmas is a time of mercy and love, which is a perfect time to discuss our work as criminal defense attorneys.

The criminal defense attorneys at our office are often asked: “How can you defend someone you know to be guilty?” This is a question we face almost daily from friends, family members, and acquaintances in Adams, Denver, and Jefferson County. Because we are so often questioned about our work, we thought it would be important to write about it here. And, because Christmas is a time of mercy and love, it is the perfect time to discuss such a subject.

The Job of a Criminal Defense Attorney

First, it is important to understand our job as criminal defense lawyers in the criminal justice system. Our goal is to defend people who have been accused of crimes and are being tried by the government. This is necessary for justice; every person, whether guilty or innocent, deserves the right to a fair trial. And, a fair trial includes an advocate fighting on their behalf in El Paso, Douglas, and Arapahoe County. It isn't justice to send an innocent man to prison.

• Innocent Until Proven Guilty

Our founding fathers purposefully set up a system that required the government to prove a defendant is guilty. A person accused of a crime is presumed innocent until the prosecution proves beyond a reasonable doubt that they committed the crime. The role of the criminal defense attorney is to protect the accused person and demand the District Attorney provide this evidence. In other words – we keep the government honest and make sure they are treating our clients with justice.

• We All Deserve a Fair Trial

People often think our job is to “get people off” from the consequences of their crimes. This isn't the case. Instead, we work hard to garner the best possible outcome for our clients – even if they committed the crime. We care about the people we represent, and we want the best possible scenario for them. We consider the long-term effects of each plea agreement, or possible outcome at trial. Often, we know our clients wouldn't be helped or rehabilitated by simply sitting in prison. We work hard to get them the help they need, whether it be community corrections, probation, or therapy.

• The Innocent are the Hardest to Defend

Often, the most difficult people we represent are those we know to be innocent. We have defended many people who were falsely accused. These are hard cases, because an innocent person's life is at stake. Thankfully, by God's grace, we are often able to get these clients acquittals at trial by gathering evidence and illustrating the lack of proof on the part of the prosecution.

Mercy is Central to Christmas

The criminal defense attorneys at the O'Malley Law Office are dedicated Christians. Our beliefs drive who we are and how we approach our work. In this Christmas season, it's important to realize that mercy is central to our life and to this time of year. As John 3:16 says:

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16

It is important to understand that we are all sinners in need of mercy, forgiveness and love. It is not our place to judge, it is our place to extend this mercy to others.

Request a Free Consultation

If you or a loved one has been charged with a crime in Colorado, be smart, exercise your right to remain silent, and contact an experienced criminal defense attorney at the O'Malley Law Office for a free consultation at 303-830-0880. Together, we can protect your future.