"Can You Guarantee That I Will Not Go To Jail?"
It is the question that is routinely asked of every criminal defense attorney in any kind of criminal matter ranging from the smallest misdemeanors to serious felonies. Plainly put, criminal defendants want to know if their attorneys to whom they are going to pay their hard-earned money for criminal representation can guarantee the outcome that every criminal defendant desperately desires: that he or she will not have to go to jail. It seems like a reasonable enough request, but it is one that should alert defendants to trouble if they receive the answer they may think they desire.
The truth is that no attorney can guarantee that a criminal defendant will not go to jail in a particular case and criminal defendants who find themselves being promised such an outcome by their attorneys should be wary of getting their hopes set too high for fear of having something unexpected happen which lands the suspect in custody, even for a brief period of time. Although some types of cases are such that defendants avoid jail time ninety-nine percent of the time, it is unrealistic and unethical for any attorney to give the client an absolute guarantee that he or she will go to jail. This is so because the judge that decides the sentencing may not view the case the same way that defense counsel does or may feel like the characteristics of the defendant or circumstances dictates making an example out of the defendant in that particular case.
It is a great feeling to be represented in any matter by a competent and confident attorney, but overconfidence can lead to unrealistic expectations and hollow guarantees that only work a disservice for the client. Contact an experienced East Tennessee criminal defense attorney today for a realistic appraisal of your case and the possible outcomes.
Bookmark: 
