John Ramsey said one of his friends advised him to get a good criminal lawyer. At the time he didn't think he needed one (the naive "I have nothing to hide" belief), but his friend gave him a dose of reality.
He said his friend told him they suspected them and this meant they would be fighting for their lives..
In that context, getting a lawyer was the only smart thing to do, especially knowing the authorities were looking directly at the parents and no one else.
I agree.
Smart people know that the family will be the first suspects. But they know it makes them look guilty. What do you do?
Each person decides for themselves. I am not passing judgment.