"Sometimes your lawyer will have to tell you unpleasant things"

Here's reasonable, respectful advice to clients from Wandering Bell. Bell's a civil guy, but his words apply to people in the criminal system as well:

It's not that the lawyer does not believe you, rather it's that he is unable to prove what you are saying...

I'm using that next time. After my court trial this week, that one in particular is something I wish that my client and his family had realized.