Your attorney is bound by confidentiality, a bedrock of representation in the United States for over 100 years. This code prevents your lawyer from repeating what you have said to them to anyone else unless they need assistance with the law. In addition, an attorney needs to know as much as possible about your case to defend you. Because they represent you, all information with your attorney is considered privileged and cannot be disclosed to anyone else.
Breaching this code can lead to a lawsuit against the lawyer, so it is important to keep all information between the two of you despite everyone’s best intentions and a sense of urgency. Your case is likely going through many twists and turns, and any additional disclosure could result in an additional complication.
The Perks
The benefits of telling your attorney the truth are numerous. First, by doing so, you are ensuring all information is available to the attorney and providing better representation. It also reduces any confusion arising from remaining silent about certain information. For example, once your attorney knows about your last job or the identity of your dependents, they can better defend you and present a case. These include:
Lighter Sentencing
Your attorney should be able to use information you have disclosed in your defense, and the fact that you have a similar background will also help.
Increased Knowledge of Your Case and Defense Strategy
By keeping your attorney in the loop, they can make informed decisions about the best defense to use against the charges. This allows them to make specific recommendations such as plea bargaining or an additional charge that benefits you and your case strategically.
Decreased Confusion
When you tell your attorney everything, they can defend you better because they know what happened. In addition, they can use this information to determine the proper course of action on your case and give you a more accurate estimation of how long it will take to determine whether or not you had contact with the victim. It also means that they can provide a better estimate when they need to ask for an extension on the trial date or if they need to focus their resources elsewhere.
However, it is vital to fully understand what you should and shouldn’t tell your lawyer during a criminal defense case. You can’t tell them everything simply because everything may not be relevant to their case. You also don’t want to reveal information that could be used against you by law enforcement.
The Bottom Line
You do not need to tell your attorney everything. Complying with the law doesn’t mean you have to disclose all of your secrets, but you should tell them everything that is helpful to your case and honestly answer your lawyer’s questions. Contact us today, and we will help you navigate the complicated waters of criminal law.
