You know what my father said about innocent clients?…
““You know what my father said about innocent clients? ... He said the scariest client a lawyer will ever have is an innocent client. Because if you fuck up and he goes to prison, it'll scar you for life ... He said there is no in-between with an innocent client. No negotiation, no plea bargain, no middle ground. There's only one verdict. You have to put an NG up on the scoreboard. There's no other verdict but not guilty." Levin nodded thoughtfully. "The bottom line was my old man was a damn good lawyer and he didn't like having innocent clients," I said. "I'm not sure I do, either.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
A lawyer faces moral terror when defending an innocent client because any mistake could ruin lives, leaving no compromise.
In simple terms: Defending innocence is high‑stakes with no middle ground.
Key Takeaway
Never compromise integrity when stakes are life‑changing.
Themes
ethics
law
responsibility
Mood
tense
reflective
Type
cautionary
ethical
When to use this quote
- courtroom defense
- pro bono work
- legal advice
- client counseling
Key Concepts
moral dilemma
professional risk
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance duty to client with personal risk?
- What safeguards can protect against catastrophic errors?
A Different Perspective
Even with innocence, legal outcomes can be unpredictable and may still cause harm.