Some people have issues with criminal solicitors, and can’t see how solicitors can attempt to help those who may be criminals. They state that possible criminals don’t deserve the assistance of solicitors. This piece will look at the reasons why some have these believes, and why ultimately everyone should be given legal representation when in such as situation.

Reasons why some believe those charged with a criminal offense should receive legal assistance

The main problem people have with legal representation is that genuine criminals may be found not guilty - that criminals might get away with a crime because they received good legal representations. People may have particular issues because the state pay for some of these solicitors, for example for those who can’t afford to pay themselves.

It is possible that solicitors will find loopholes in the law that may help their client to be acquitted. They know the law inside out so if there is something that can be used to help their client they may use it and some get away with crimes on a technicality.

Criminal solicitors can help their clients by representing the situation to give a certain impression. Part of a decision of a jury is based on the perception they have of an incident and the people involved. This is something that defendants may struggle with themselves, but with which an experienced solicitor can help them.

Reasons why everyone should be entitled to legal representation

Before a criminal law case begins no-one can be completely sure if someone is innocent or guilty. Thousands of innocent people are charged with a criminal offence every year and the chances of them being convicted would be much higher without legal representation. This in a nut shell is the reason why everyone is entitled to legal assistance. Nobody wants innocent people in jail, paying for a crime committed by somebody else. If we were accused of a crime we didn’t commit we’d want all the help possible so the truth come forward and we were found innocent. Those without a criminal solicitor have a major disadvantage which isn’t fair on the innocent.

Ultimately a solicitor can only work with the facts. Although there are times when the guilty are judged to be innocent, these are rare. Occurrences can rarely be fabricated so if someone is guilty they will normally be judges as so. Many more innocent people would be found guilty if it wasn’t for criminal solicitors. This is an important right for anyone who has been accused of a criminal offense, whether they are innocent or guilty.

Conclusion

For obvious reasons people have an issue with someone being found innocent who is in fact guilty, and in a few cases this does happen with the assistance of a criminal solicitor. However, it is crucial that those who have done nothing wrong are not convicted. This is something that would happen much more if people were not entitled to legal representation. If the state is attempting to convict someone they will use solicitors, so the defendant should also. The likelihood is that with both sides using lawyers the right outcome will be reached.

Andrew Marshall (c)