The criminal lawyer, particularly one operating in the pit, comes off to many a client as his prosecutor – if not, indeed, his persecutor. Depending on his style or approach, he may literally say, or at least, communicate (in tone), the following to the defendant who absolutely should plead guilty. And assume it is all true, (because accuracy is key to a client’s claim of “coercion”):
You’re dead. We’re – no, you’re -gonna get killed at trial with no defense. They’ve got A, B, C, D and E going for them. You’ve got zip. You’re guilty; forget all the B.S. you’re telling me for months. Pleading guilty to see your way out of jail ‘before it falls off’ is your only option, especially if you want your wife to stick with you. The prosecutor is giving you a one-shot, five year, ‘take-it-or-leave-it’ plea. She secretly hopes you refuse. That way [pretty boy] you’re in a jailhouse full of hard-bitten criminals for 25 years. Do I have to explain that? And if you persist in refusing to plead guilty, I may just ask the judge to let me out. You want to be a moron! I don’t have to be one.
