Common Misconceptions about Criminal Law Attorneys

It is said that the rumors have wings. Sometimes, these rumors create a solid ground for some beliefs. There are many rumors spread about criminal defense lawyers and other attorneys, which most people believe to be true. Highlighted below are some of the most common misconceptions about criminal law attorneys –

Lawyers are only after my money!

Being an advocate is a profession. But in context of the law profession, it is false that they are into it just because of money. There are many attorneys in the country, who can take your case for free. Under the Right to Justice Act, the government provides you a lawyer, if you do not have sufficient funds to represent your side. Another similar buzz about lawyers is that they all have an out-of-reach consultation fee. This is also a rumor. Lawyers are an integral part of the society, and they set their consultation fee in accordance with the criticality of the case. There are many professionally managed law firms that do not ask for any fee from their clients for the first consultation.

Hiring a lawyer means victory.

A majority of people believes that by hiring a lawyer, they have won the case. However, it would be better to realize the hiring as a positive gesture, and a hope for victory. It is the judge who decides who is guilty and who is not, based on the hearing of the case, the evidences, and the statements presented by the witnesses.

Lawyers have loose moral values.

The student lawyers have to go through a meticulous test, in which their moral values, character, and ethics are adjudged. In many parts of the world, if a student fails to pass this test, he is not given the license to practice the profession of lawyer.

Do Not Make a Statement when Charged with Criminal Cases

At times, it is said that silence speaks better than words. Your silence becomes golden when there is a false police report against you, and they are investigating into it. Most criminal lawyers in Montreal suggest their clients to not to make any statement before the police or the investigators, looking into the charges against you.

When someone files a malevolent legal case against you, and no matter if you are innocent and haven’t committed the act of crime, the police still have an eye on you. They consider those charges against you as true, and start their investigation. What they search for is evidence; and for this, they can use your statement against you. And as a matter of fact, you actually do not know which of your statement will be used against you and in which context. They could possibly link your words with the words of the complainant, who has filed the case.

There could come out different implications of your statements, therefore, to avoid any misinterpretations, it is advisable to stay quiet. The law permits you to not to speak during the investigation.

Then, how to deal with investigators and police?

If you would visit a criminal lawyer or financial crime attorney, he/she would advise you to stay quiet. Or if the investigators insist on taking your statement or repeatedly ask questions, you can tell them that your lawyer will speak on your behalf. It is the best answer that one can give.