Legal Question in DUI Law in California

Defense attorney's belief in clent's innocence

A lawyer says ''I believe my client is innocent.'' -- even though she does not, in fact, believe that

Would it ever be ethically justified for a lawyer to say this a) in court, or b) to the press?


Asked on 6/26/02, 5:50 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys

Martin Lathrop Russakow, Ryan & Johnson

Re: Defense attorney's belief in clent's innocence

You raise an age old question faced by every criminal lawyer. Lawyers should not "believe" whether their clients are innocent or guilty. They simply are required to be zealous advocates for their clients. That said, we are all people and we make judgments all the time. None the less, whether a lawyer thinks his client is guilty or not, he must do his best to hold the goverment to the standard of proof required by the constitution.

How do you know she did not believe in the innocence of her client?-Martin

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Answered on 6/27/02, 6:08 pm


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