If the police arrest you for a crime, you are not guilty of the crime until the court proves your guilt. Courts can prove guilt in several ways, but you have rights as an alleged criminal. One right is that you do not have to speak about the crime if your words would incriminate you. If speaking the truth would reveal guilt for the crime, you should keep quiet. Should you tell your criminal lawyer the truth, though? Here are several things to know if you want to know the answer to this question.
1. You Should Never Lie to Your Criminal Lawyer
Before you decide if you should tell your lawyer about your guilt in the crime, there is one vital thing to know. You should never lie to your lawyer. If you lie to your lawyer about your involvement in the crime, you may experience repercussions later. Your lawyer cannot provide the proper representation to you if you lie. If you lie to your lawyer, it could change the strategy he or she uses in your case. The prosecution may present evidence that contradicts the information you told your attorney, and this could create a mess. Therefore, you should not lie to your lawyer.
2. You Can Tell the Truth If You Want
Next, you should know that you do not have to tell your lawyer every detail. If you are guilty of the crime, you are not required to tell your lawyer that you are guilty. Instead, you can choose to remain silent about your involvement in the crime.
3. Your Lawyer May Ask Questions About the Evidence
Your lawyer might ask you questions about your involvement in the crime, and the questions may be the result of evidence the prosecution has. Remember, the only information your lawyer will have is the information the prosecution has. The prosecution must share this evidence with your lawyer, and your lawyer will use this evidence to assist you in your case. If your lawyer asks questions, you should aim to answer them honestly. If answering the questions causes you to admit guilt, you might want to tell your lawyer this before providing the answers he or she wants from you.
Now that you understand these things, you can decide what to tell your criminal lawyer. If you do not have a lawyer, start searching for a criminal lawyer service in your city.