Yes, you can and should be honest with your lawyer. The attorney-client privilege safeguards your communications with your lawyer. Even if you committed the alleged crime, your lawyer can still represent you and ensure that the government must work hard to convict you by proving each element of their case. Your lawyer also has the option of negotiating more favorable terms if they believe that is a better approach and will be more beneficial to you. Certain exceptions may apply if you tell your attorney about a violent crime you plan to commit in the future or if you ask your lawyer to conceal physical evidence related to your case. In general, you will want your lawyer to understand everything about the charges you are fighting and create a defense that will work based on the facts.