When people are accused of a crime they didn’t commit, the natural reaction is to believe that the truth will prevail. If you're innocent, why would you need a criminal defense attorney?
Unfortunately, the justice system does not operate on truth alone. Innocent people can and do get charged, prosecuted, and in some cases, convicted. Misidentifications, false statements, procedural errors, and rushed investigations can all result in criminal charges—even when the person accused is entirely innocent.
At Perlman & Cohen, we have represented numerous clients in Los Angeles who were wrongfully accused. Some were arrested based on mistaken identity. Others were the targets of fabricated allegations or incomplete investigations. In every case, our defense efforts were the difference between wrongful conviction and rightful vindication.
This article explores why hiring a criminal defense lawyer—even when you are innocent—is not only advisable but essential. We also detail how our team builds strong legal defenses for clients who are facing charges based on false allegations.
Many people mistakenly believe that being innocent will automatically protect them from prosecution. In reality, the system is not designed to determine guilt or innocence before a trial. Instead, it works on thresholds of evidence.
You can be:
Even if the case never reaches trial, the damage to your life and reputation may already be done.
Police officers are responsible for investigating crimes—not determining guilt. Their job is to gather evidence, question witnesses, and make arrests based on probable cause. Prosecutors decide whether or not to file charges, usually with limited information and under pressure to act swiftly.
In some cases, prosecutors may continue with charges even after new evidence emerges, simply because the burden has shifted to the defense to prove otherwise.
Mistaken identity, incorrect witness statements, and false allegations are common contributors to wrongful arrests. The National Registry of Exonerations—maintained by the University of Michigan Law School—has documented over 3,400 exonerations since 1989, many of which involved individuals who were entirely innocent yet still convicted.
The law does not allow a person’s innocence to automatically shield them from prosecution. Instead, you must prove your side—or at the very least, raise reasonable doubt.
That requires:
Even if your innocence seems obvious to you, you should never assume the prosecution will come to the same conclusion on its own. Prosecutors may view silence or unrepresented defendants as uncooperative or suspicious.
False charges often begin with a single statement made to police. Depending on the situation, no additional evidence may be required for an arrest. Common scenarios include:
Once these accusations enter the system, they can quickly take on a life of their own. Prosecutors often err on the side of filing charges and letting the courts sort out the rest. Without a knowledgeable attorney pushing back early in the process, the case can proceed much farther than it should.
If you have been falsely accused, hiring an attorney may feel unnecessary or even counterintuitive. However, delaying legal representation can result in serious missteps:
A skilled criminal defense attorney will advise you not just on legal procedure, but also on how to avoid harming your own case. At Perlman & Cohen, our role is to guide, protect, and strategically advocate on your behalf—regardless of your innocence.
When we represent someone who has been falsely accused, we take a rigorous and proactive approach to defense. Our strategy typically includes the following:
We contact law enforcement and the prosecution immediately, establishing ourselves as your legal counsel. This stops unauthorized questioning and prevents further escalation.
We do not rely solely on police reports. Our team conducts a parallel investigation, seeking out evidence the authorities may have missed or ignored.
We speak to key witnesses, gather statements, and build a timeline that may contradict the prosecution’s narrative. Inconsistencies can be powerful tools in court.
In today’s world, phone records, GPS data, surveillance footage, and digital communications can provide strong alibis or refute claims made against you.
We identify any legal violations that may have occurred during the arrest or investigation and use them to file motions to exclude evidence or dismiss the charges outright.
In cases where formal dismissal is not immediately granted, we work to resolve the case without a criminal conviction, protecting your record and future.
Waiting to hire a criminal defense attorney can cause irreversible harm to your case. Key evidence may disappear. Witnesses may become unavailable. And the prosecution may file charges that are harder to unwind later.
Innocence is not a guarantee of protection unless it is actively defended.
Even if your case is dismissed or you are acquitted at trial, the public record may still show that you were charged with a crime. Court records, police booking photos, and online news articles often remain accessible indefinitely.
At Perlman & Cohen, we don’t stop at winning your case. We also advise on:
We understand that protecting your name is just as important as protecting your legal status.
The criminal justice system is complex, and unfortunately, it is not immune to mistakes. Being innocent does not exempt you from being targeted, charged, or tried. What matters is how you respond—and who you choose to defend you.
At Perlman & Cohen, we fight aggressively and intelligently for those who are wrongly accused. We treat each case with the urgency and professionalism it deserves, working to dismantle false charges before they become permanent scars.
You don’t have to navigate this process alone. If you’re innocent of the charges against you, it is not enough to hope that justice will be served. You need a strong defense team to make sure of it.
Contact Perlman & Cohen Criminal Lawyers for a confidential consultation. We are based in Los Angeles and serve clients across California. Whether you're facing a misdemeanor, felony, or federal investigation, we’re ready to step in immediately.
Your future is worth protecting—let us help you do it.
