Will I Look Guilty if I Ask for an Attorney?

 Posted on June 10, 2025 in Criminal Defense

If you are arrested on suspicion of a criminal offense and are sitting across from law enforcement being questioned, you may feel as if asking for a lawyer will only make you look guilty of the crime. And, in truth, when you assert your right to an attorney, law enforcement is likely to look at you as though you must be guilty. The police may even say to you that you do not need a lawyer if you have nothing to hide.

None of those things should be your concern at this point. Regardless of how law enforcement views your choice to speak to an attorney, it is a decision that can make a significant difference in the outcome of your charges. The right to an attorney is guaranteed by our Constitution; it protects you, and it is one of the smartest choices you can make if you are under investigation or charged with a crime.

Unfortunately, far too many people fail to assert their right to an attorney because they are waiting until the situation is "serious." Make no mistake – if you are being questioned by police or have been arrested and charged, it is already serious. Asking for a lawyer is not an admission of guilt; it is your right. If you have questions regarding your right to speak to an attorney, speaking to an experienced Salt Lake City, UT criminal defense attorney from Collins Rupp, P.C. can be extremely beneficial.

Law Enforcement’s Goal is to Build a Case, Not Help You

When the crime alleged is one in which there is a victim who was seriously injured or killed, there is pressure on law enforcement to "get" the culprit quickly. While this makes the police zealous advocates for the victim, it can also create "tunnel vision," which means they are more likely to latch onto the first suspect and use every resource to prove that the suspect is guilty.

If you happen to be that first suspect, you will have the full weight of law enforcement and the state of Utah pushing hard to find you guilty. If you do not have an experienced defense lawyer on your side, you risk being railroaded into a conviction for a crime you did not commit - or you did commit, but there were extenuating circumstances.

When you do not have a defense attorney from the very beginning, the most innocent statement you make can be misunderstood, twisted, or taken out of context to make you appear guilty. Once that statement is on record, it is difficult to undo the damage. Believing the police will be more lenient if you cooperate is just not how the system works. Police officers are trained to obtain statements from suspects in any way possible.

A police officer can lie to you and trick you – legally. The officer questioning you may seem friendly and "nice," but again, he or she has been trained in the art of interrogation, and that friendly attitude will disappear in an instant as soon as he or she has elicited what is necessary to charge you and put you on trial, perhaps for your life.

There Are No Second Chances

Once you have made statements, there is no unsaying those statements. They are on record, and even the best criminal defense lawyer may be unable to undo the damage. Of course, it will depend on what you said and how your questioning was handled. If you asked for an attorney and the police continued to question you, then any statements you made prior to that could be excluded, but there are no worries about undoing statements if you never make them in the first place.

Contact a Davis County, UT Criminal Defense Lawyer

If you have been accused of a criminal offense, it is extremely important that you speak to a Salt Lake City, UT criminal defense attorney from Collins Rupp, P.C.. Attorney Collins has dedicated his entire adult life to honing his negotiating skills, which affords significant benefits to his clients. Attorney Rupp pursued the legal field after a 27-year career in the Marines.  Call 385-777-2753 to schedule your free consultation.