An Ethical Criminal Defense
Every day in courtrooms across the country, criminal defense attorneys defend the Constitutional rights of ordinary Americans who’ve been accused of crimes. We know that these clients are innocent until proven guilty, and, as criminal defense attorneys, we have both the responsibility and the moral authority to use every tool the law allows in order to advocate on their behalf. Naturally, criminal defense attorneys must unconditionally adhere to exacting ethical values in the course of their work in order to both preserve clients’ rights and to maintain professional integrity.
Values are Important
Some of the critical values criminal defense are sworn to uphold include:
- Principled Conduct: Avoiding conflicts of interest and any type of illegal activities is a must. That means prudently balancing conflicting demands, including adhering to expectations of truthfulness throughout legal proceedings while preserving clients’ rights when perjury is a possibility.
- Compelling Justice: Criminal defense attorneys must be committed to providing a fair trial for clients, even when public opinion or politics puts stress on the system. Providing due process is key to a criminal defense attorney’s creed.
- Client Fidelity: The defense attorney’s mission is to represent the interests of clients with fervor. In doing so it is essential that confidentiality and attorney-client privilege is maintained. That includes restricting sales of media rights during a case and refusing to work based on contingency fees.
- Preserving Integrity: Criminal defense lawyers must be frank with their clients. Opposing counsel and the court also expect and are entitled to straightforward interactions. Misrepresenting the facts or otherwise deceiving anyone involved in the process is wrong.
- Revering the System: There are unique procedures and rules in the legal system that must be understood and followed as defense attorneys strive to uphold the fair administration of justice.
- Objectivity: Criminal defense attorneys must put personal biases on the back burner when it comes to a client’s guilt or innocence, and fashion the most thorough defense possible.
- Maintaining Education: Criminal defense attorneys must remain fluent in emerging laws and ethical guidelines so as to be ready to address clients’ needs.
Consequences of Unethical Conduct
Ethical conduct is a responsibility that is taken very seriously within the profession. The pursuit of justice is tainted when ethics are disregarded, leaving both the rights of the accused and the confidence of the public in the justice system corrupted. That’s exactly why ethical failures have the potential for serious consequences, including:
- Suspension or disbarment of attorneys;
- The end of an attorney’s career;
- The overturning of the attorney’s cases.
Advocating for You
At Salazar & Kelly Law Group you can count on principled, professional representation regardless of the nature of the crimes for which you’ve been accused. To discuss your situation, schedule a confidential consultation with our Kissimmee and Orlando criminal defense lawyers today.
