The most basic part of our judicial system is that everyone, regardless of class, religion, gender,or any number of other bases, is innocent until proven guilty. To protect people from governments, whose powers are almost infinitely larger in scale than any individual’s power, we charge prosecuting attorneys with a heavy burden of proof. That said, hearing that public figures hire or contact noted defense attorneys does not inspire confidence in us.

Yet that is exactly what former Penn State football coach Joe Paterno and Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain have done. Paterno requested of a criminal defense lawyer that he represent him in the child sex-abuse case, should he be needed. Cain hired a defamation lawyer to represent him after one woman came forward claiming he’d committed sexual improprieties.

Why, if they are as blameless as they insist, do these and so many other public figures call so much attention to themselves? Hiring an attorney is no admission of guilt, but hiring one before any legal charges have been made only calls additional attention to an issue. Hiring a high-profile attorney is hardly a discreet way to resolve the situation and, especially where there are allegations of sexual abuse or misconduct, discretion is probably the thing most valued by both parties.

The idea of a self-fulfilling prophecy, that doing one action certainly will lead to another, may or may not be bunk, but calling attention to yourself when grave accusations confront you does not lend itself to your credibility. Hearing charges repeated by news agencies with a large audience does not help credibility.

Especially in Cain’s case, we have to ask, is reacting defensively and redirecting his attention and efforts away from the office he has insisted he actually wants? Or is he preparing for an offensive against the character of his accusers? If the accusations against him are truly false and baseless, then what need has he to give them the time of day?

One advantage of the attention these two individuals have drawn to themselves is that their refocused spotlights may shine even brighter in the truth’s direction, whether it leads to their exoneration or conviction. The increased scrutiny that their moves toward legal representation draws may very well lead to the rest of us knowing the truth.

The attention could also serve as a warning to others. Whether the allegations are true or not, they are surely unwanted; there are never enough reminders to refrain from sexual misconduct. The sanctity of an individual’s person is one of the most important bases of civil society.