Although the Times' story goes unaddressed, prosecutors aren't the only lawyers at risk. Criminal defense attorneys are ethically required to zealously represent their clients, no matter what their personal opinion of the case may be. This means that criminal defense lawyers are required to do everything possible to defend their clients, even if the lawyer believes the client is guilty. For more information, see Representing a Client the Attorney Believes Is Guilty.
Defense lawyers know what is happening much better than you do during your criminal trial. They can also predict how a case is going and what the outcome of the judge or jury may be. Most (but not all) criminal defense lawyers want their clients to tell them everything good, bad, and ugly because a lawyer can't defend themselves against what they don't know. This story does not imply that a criminal defense lawyer has to fear the violence of a client, but rather a civil law lawyer who fears the violence of an adverse party.
In fact, it seems that your story and that of other criminal defense lawyers confirm that it is the people you are questioning who are angry with you. In trying to answer the question of whether prosecutors are waging an unjustified campaign against the defense bar association in general and individual lawyers in particular, or if they are simply aiming to prosecute those lawyers who are genuinely believed to have violated criminal laws, a good starting point is examine the ethical responsibilities of prosecutors and defense lawyers. If you're looking for jail time or a hefty fine, it's a good idea to consider hiring the best criminal lawyer possible. Beginning with the Watergate prosecutions, which shook the Nixon Administration in the 1970s and resulted in the convictions of several lawyers, see, for example, as exemplified by the parable of the unknown farmer, the public's so familiar denigration of lawyers has unfortunately spread certain segments of the bar association itself, pitting private professionals, and especially criminal defense lawyers, against prosecutors.
At some point, defendants and their lawyers inevitably discuss the facts underlying criminal charges. See generally President's Commission on Organized Crime, Materials on Ethical Issues for Lawyers Involved in Organized Crime Cases (March 198 at p. The best strategy for someone facing criminal charges is to follow the example of an experienced and trustworthy criminal defense attorney, and never mind, be honest with that lawyer. The United States Attorney is not a representative of a common party to a dispute, but of a sovereignty whose obligation to govern impartially is as imperative as its obligation to govern at all; and whose interest, therefore, in criminal proceedings is not that a case wins, but that justice will be done.
As any experienced lawyer will tell you, there is a big difference between reading about the law and practicing law in court. The information provided on this site does not constitute legal advice, does not constitute a lawyer referral service, and no attorney-client or confidential relationship will be formed or formed through the use of the site. In addition, the best criminal lawyer for you can detect certain arguments and factors that could mitigate or even deny any possible crime. If lawyers act in a manner consistent with applicable ethical standards, this is solid (if not conclusive) proof that their conduct is neither criminal nor unethical.
For example, instead of going to prison for ten months for a conviction for drug possession, your criminal defense attorney may suggest a prison sentence of six months and then four months in a drug treatment center. .
