I’m Guilty - So Why Do I Need a Lawyer?

Even if you did what the prosecution says, it does not mean that they can prove it. Remember that guilty means that the prosecutors proved your guilt jury of your peers. You are innocent unless they can do that beyond a reasonable doubt. You may think that you are guilty, but what you did does not fit the legal definition of the crime that the prosecutor is alleging.

There are a range of punishments for the crime with which you have been charged. Most laws are written with either a maximum or minimum sentence or a range of possible punishments. You are working for the least possible punishment for the crime. Your attorney could either negotiate with the prosecution to plead guilty to receive a lesser sentence or could persuade the court to give you less jail time. Your criminal defense lawyer could even try to work with the prosecution to offer your guilty plea in exchange for being charged with a lesser crime. 

Everybody is entitled to their legal rights. Constitutional protections exist for both the guilty and innocent. There is still a criminal justice process that must be followed, and law enforcement could violate your rights without an advocate on your side to help protect them. This could make a bad situation even worse. People who did something wrong still need someone to fight for them at times, even if the fight is not to prove innocence. 

The criminal justice system does not always want to “throw the book” at every defendant. There are some programs that give leniency to first-time offenders for certain crimes. Eau Claire County has its own first-time offender program. Misdemeanor and some low-level felonies may qualify for this program, including the following:

● Theft 

● Disorderly Conduct 

● Retail Theft

● Obstructing 

● Possession of Marijuana 

● Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

The prosecutor may not believe that you are a candidate for pretrial release. They may want to hold you without bond. Bail is allowed only when the court believes that it is necessary to get you to appear in court. You might need an attorney to convince the court that you should be released on bail or on your own recognizance, so you are not being held in prison all the way until trial. 

If you have been accused of a crime, you should call Cohen Law Office at (715) 514-5051 today. There are always major risks of proceeding on your own without an attorney, no matter the alleged crime. Schedule your free initial consultation by contacting our office today.