Promises and Guarantees are Unethical
You are getting swindled if you consider retaining a criminal defense lawyer, and they guarantee or promise you a win or any particular outcome.
It is Unethical for a Defense Lawyer to Give a Promise or Guarantee to Win
It is unethical for a lawyer to promise specific results. In Michigan, the Rules of Professional Conduct govern a lawyer’s conduct. Promises or guarantees to induce a client to hire a lawyer are strictly prohibited. These tactics are unethical and dishonest. Even giving specific odds and probabilities is considered an unethical guarantee. If a defense lawyer claims they are guaranteed to win, you need to find a more ethical lawyer unwilling to lie to you to get your money.
The defense attorneys with LEWIS & DICKSTEIN, P.L.L.C. often consult with prospective clients, and our view of the case may be much brighter and more optimistic than anticipated. But when a Michigan Criminal Defense Attorney makes a promise, it is unethical, greedy, and harmful to the client. Unfortunately, criminal lawyers sometimes promise dismissals, acquittals, lenient sentences, no jail, or other specific results to manipulate a potential client to hire that lawyer. Unfortunately, this deceptive practice is more common than it should be.
“But another criminal defense lawyer guaranteed they would win!”
Many potential clients come to meet with us and express that another lawyer promised or guaranteed a particular result. When this happens, they will ask whether we can match the promise or guarantee. For example, the client may ask, “If I hire you do you guarantee a dismissal?” Making promises is unethical and a sign that the lawyer is dishonest or greedy. Anything can happen in a case, and even the best lawyer can only maximize a client’s chances of obtaining a great result. Facts often develop during representation, making achieving a particular result more or less likely in unanticipated ways. A highly experienced lawyer can size up a case and give a reliable range of probable outcomes; however, no lawyer has a crystal ball or can predict the future. Making promises or guarantees of particular results is strictly prohibited. You should avoid any lawyer that engages in this behavior.
Why are a defense lawyer’s guarantees so unreliable?
The fact is that every single case – drunk driving (DUI or OWI), drug possession, felonies, misdemeanors, domestic violence, and any other type of offense is unique. No two situations are identical. Each alleged crime has a set of facts and has its unique nuances. There’s also the unpredictability of prosecutors, judges, complainants, witnesses, and, not least of all – jurors. When you consider the individual facts of cases with the multitude of different prosecutors, judges, witnesses, etc., no case will ever be exactly like another.
A doctor also can’t predict how the human body will react to treatment with 100% certainty – and a lawyer can’t predict how the human judicial process will react with 100% certainty. If a particular medicine works with 95% of patients, 5% will not benefit or have an adverse reaction. Good Michigan criminal defense lawyers recognize the variables and do their best to put those variables in perspective. The most informed potential client will know that the lawyer to hire is the one that is smart, fearless, zealous, and will fight for them no matter how the case progresses or what challenges develop.
The only guarantee from a defense lawyer should be to tirelessly and fearlessly fight for you!
Lawyers take an oath to represent their clients zealously. Any lawyer you hire should be willing to fight for you and defend your case aggressively and to the best of that person’s ability. A guarantee isn’t part of the equation and is a reason to seek another attorney. The fact is that no defense lawyer is guaranteed to win, and someone claiming otherwise is untruthful.
Another thing to consider about a lawyer that promises results – is that it’s not intelligent from the lawyer’s perspective! Even if that lawyer can deliver on their guarantee often – they’re breaking their pledge probably just as often. Oakland County, Wayne County, and Macomb County lawyers frequently use these tactics. If a lawyer does something unethical to convince you to hire them, how can you trust anything that person tells you? Find a lawyer who guarantees they will do everything possible to fight for the best possible outcome in your case but shy away from someone who promises something to manipulate you into hiring them.
Trustworthy, Fearless, and Zealous Criminal Defense
The lawyers with LEWIS & DICKSTEIN, P.L.L.C. have decades of experience successfully defending clients in state and federal courts. We will not make false promises to get your money; you can count on us to be straight with you about both good news and bad. The one guarantee you receive when retaining us to protect and defend you is that we will do whatever it takes to get you the best possible outcome. If a criminal defense lawyer claims they are guaranteed to win, someone is attempting to exploit your fear and anxiety. Don’t get snookered by false promises. Call us for a free consultation, and we will give you straight information about your case and situation. An experienced attorney will take your call, answer your questions, and work with you to develop a winning defense strategy.
Call us today at (248) 263-6800 for a free consultation or complete an online Request for Assistance Form. We will contact you promptly and find a way to help you.
We will find a way to help you.
We Are Not Afraid to Win!
