Many people facing criminal charges worry about what will happen if their attorney learns they are guilty. Some people even panic and fear their lawyer will turn against them or immediately hand them over to prosecutors. Thankfully, that is not how criminal defense works in Wisconsin or anywhere else in the United States.

A Milwaukee criminal defense attorney’s job is not to decide whether a client is morally innocent. Defense lawyers exist to protect their clients’ constitutional rights. They challenge the government’s evidence and make sure the prosecution follows the law. The government still has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, even if an attorney knows their client probably committed the crime. 

That being said, your attorney isn’t your best friend and there are still certain things you should never do with your criminal defense lawyer. One of these things is to give, or try to give, your lawyer evidence that shows you might be guilty.