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Do I Need a Criminal Defense Lawyer if I’m Innocent?

Have you been falsely accused or charged with a crime you didn’t commit? If so, you are not alone. It may seem like there is no harm in cooperating with the police. And you may even think, if you didn’t commit the crime, you will not need a criminal defense lawyer.

Your family and loved ones may use this as a reason or excuse to not help pay for a lawyer.

The reality is, if you are innocent (or if you are less than innocent), you still need a lawyer. The court cannot use your silence or your request for an attorney against you.

Hiring an experienced and knowledgeable lawyer is the best thing you can do when your future is at stake. Contact the Rodriguez Law Group to schedule a free consultation to learn more.

How a Los Angeles Criminal Defense Lawyer Can Help

The criminal justice system is a scary world with unfamiliar legalese, procedures, policies, and rules. Many people facing criminal charges make the critical mistake of assuming that if they didn’t commit the crime, they won’t do time.

These people don’t realize that jails and prisons across America are filled with innocent people. 

A dedicated lawyer can help you defend your case. Before becoming a criminal defense attorney, Ambrosio E. Rodriguez, founder of The Rodriguez Law Group prosecuted more than 1,000 cases as a Senior Deputy District Attorney. There are many benefits of having a former prosecutor represent you as your criminal defense lawyer:

• Your attorney will have extensive courtroom experience
• Your attorney will be familiar with pre-trial motions and jury selection
• Your attorney will have established working relationships with local judges and respect of peers.

A former DA on your team will have spent many hours on both sides of “the fight,” and will know how the criminal justice system works from both sides. Because of this experience, Mr. Rodriguez and his team can quickly identify the strengths and weaknesses of your case, and your possible defenses. Understanding how similar cases are commonly resolved will allow for effective strategic planning.

If you are facing any criminal charges, do not talk to police, detectives, investigators, or law enforcement. Contact our Los Angeles criminal defense lawyers to discuss your rights and options.

Being Charged with a Crime is Serious

A criminal conviction can mean fines and jail time. Even once these are behind you, your criminal record can continue to have collateral consequences and impact your life:

• Background checks: A misdemeanor may not mean you can’t work again, but will require an explanation to prospective employers.
• Professional licenses: Criminal convictions in California may result in notifications of licensing boards or agencies. A skilled Los Angeles criminal defense attorney can help you keep occupational licenses and lessen the impact of a conviction to the maximum possible extent.
• Future legal proceedings: A criminal record may be brought up and used against you in later legal proceedings like divorce cases, child custody cases, and business disputes.
• In relationships: Criminal records can be pain points in new relationships – romantic and platonic. They can be a source of embarrassment, and questioning if you do not disclose early on. If you meet someone that has children, and you want to adopt them, your criminal record may be considered. In acquaintanceship and friendships, criminal records can be fodder for gossip and sources of judgment, distrust, and hurt feelings.

At the Rodriguez Law Group, we have many years of experience dealing with criminal cases, from misdemeanors to felonies. We understand what is at stake, and what you’re up against. Contact us to discuss how an attorney can help you if you are innocent.

MYTH: Refusing an Interview or Demanding an Attorney Implies Guilt

If the police consider you a suspect, denying involvement will not help you. You will not be able to clear up confusion or eliminate yourself as a suspect. It is also important to remember the police’s role in your case.

Police officers cannot negotiate plea deals. They do not believe you are innocent until proven guilty, they believe you are guilty and are looking to find evidence of that.

The less information you give the police, the less ammunition they have against you.

The best time to exercise your right to a lawyer is at the beginning of your conversation with law enforcement. The less you say, the more power you have.

TRUTH: The Best Way To Reveal The Truth Is Through Your Attorney

When you are arrested, you are suddenly up against an agency employed by many people, who have funds to contract experts to build a case against you. Even if you are innocent, police do not decide if you get charged or not. That will be up to the prosecutor.

Police are trained to gather evidence and prosecutors are trained to get convictions. Your innocence and cooperative nature is not enough to overcome law enforcement’s and prosecutor’s coercive strategies and resources. If you are innocent, an experienced lawyer can present your defense in court.

Your best chance to winning your case is by hiring a reputable Los Angeles criminal defense lawyer.

Police Interrogations Are Not Looking For the Truth

Real-life police interrogations are not like what you see on TV shows or in the movies. Police may tell you that they want to clear you as a suspect, but this is not the case.

Police are looking for evidence. They are permitted to deceive suspects about numerous facts in their quest for evidence. They can say that someone else has admitted to committing a crime with you, or they can say they have video surveillance implicating you. While these deceptive tactics are controversial, they are legal.

Police are trained in how to build a rapport and make suspects feel comfortable because they know that you are more likely to speak with them and give them information if you are relaxed. 

During an interview, you could be asked about:

• Your activities in the days leading up to the crime
• Your education, background, and finances
• Your version of events or what you believe happened
• The victim or victims
• Your belief system and opinions
• Any other relevant circumstances surrounding the event.

While Miranda warnings give you the right to stop questioning at ay time, people often don’t stop questioning, instead of talking to police for hours, giving them pages of transcripts of evidence that can be used against you. You must remember that you have the constitutional right to speak with a lawyer, and you do not have to answer police questions. Only a judge can order you to answer a question.

The only sure way you can avoid falling into interrogation traps and giving police evidence to use against you is to not speak to police and contact a Los Angeles criminal defense lawyer.

Contact Our Los Angeles Criminal Defense Lawyers For a Free Case Evaluation

Call the Rodriguez Law Group at (213) 437-9054 to schedule a free consultation and begin protecting your legal rights. Phone and virtual consultations are available.