A defense lawyer in our country excels at representing murderers in high profile cases. He is a good lawyer and a good man. Recently, he returned home to find his wife the victim of a homicide.
Could you go on representing murderers; finding faults in the case to get an acquittal when you know they did it, after being victimized yourself?
What are your thoughts on this? I could not do it.
Originally posted by steve645I couldn't do it to begin with.
A defense lawyer in our country excels at representing murderers in high profile cases. He is a good lawyer and a good man. Recently, he returned home to find his wife the victim of a homicide.
Could you go on representing murderers; finding faults in the case to get an acquittal when you know they did it, after being victimized yourself?
What are your thoughts on this? I could not do it.
Originally posted by steve645Theoretically every one deserves a good defence and if he's accepted that as an intrinsic part of his job then one could see how he could justify continueing in the same way as before. For me it would be difficult on an emotional level, especially now that empathy with the victims would be easier. May be he'll try life on the other side of the court as a prosecuter?
A defense lawyer in our country excels at representing murderers in high profile cases. He is a good lawyer and a good man. Recently, he returned home to find his wife the victim of a homicide.
Could you go on representing murderers; finding faults in the case to get an acquittal when you know they did it, after being victimized yourself?
What are your thoughts on this? I could not do it.
Originally posted by The Chess ExpressAlthough I can understand the sentiment I would have to say I could. There have been several occasions throught my working life where I have care for people (because of my job) that have done the most horrible things to innocent people. When you choose a particular line of work you should remember that personal feelings and professional duty are two different things which shouldn't interfere with each other.
I couldn't do it to begin with.
Originally posted by rheymansI think in most of the cases it is probably more true that it just really seems like the defendant is guilty. I don't think too many march up to the defending lawyer and say, "I did it alright, but get me off anyway." There is a difference between "probably guilty" and "proven guilty." Not that I'm saying it wouldn't bother me, but I also wouldn't say it was abnormal for it not to bother someone else. It wouldn't surprise me to see the guy keep on doing what he has been doing.
Knowing they committed the crime? I couldn't do it to begin with either.
Originally posted by thesonofsaulWhere is No.1 when we need him? I certainly could be wrong but it's in my mind that a defense lawyer who actually has proof that his client is guilty of a felony is required by law to make that evidence available to the judge.
I think in most of the cases it is probably more true that it just really seems like the defendant is guilty. I don't think too many march up to the defending lawyer and say, "I did it alright, but get me off anyway." There is a difference between "probably guilty" and "proven guilty." Not that I'm saying it wouldn't bother me, but I also wo ...[text shortened]... her someone else. It wouldn't surprise me to see the guy keep on doing what he has been doing.
Originally posted by Delmerhe was popping up in one of the forums last night ... something about the game mods ...
Where is No.1 when we need him? I certainly could be wrong but it's in my mind that a defense lawyer who actually has proof that his client is guilty of a felony is required by law to make that evidence available to the judge.
Originally posted by dagsCaring for somebody is different than getting them off the hook. If I were in the medical field as you are, I wouldn’t have a problem doing my duty. I’m not sure what the judicial system is like in Australia, but in America its become something of a circus. Lawyers seem to be more concerned with winning and loosing (and of coarse $) than determining the truth.
Although I can understand the sentiment I would have to say I could. There have been several occasions throught my working life where I have care for people (because of my job) that have done the most horrible things to innocent people. When you choose a particular line of work you should remember that personal feelings and professional duty are two different things which shouldn't interfere with each other.
If things were different I might be able to be a defense lawyer, but the way things are now I’d have to sacrifice too much.
Originally posted by thesonofsaulI think this is right.
I think in most of the cases it is probably more true that it just really seems like the defendant is guilty. I don't think too many march up to the defending lawyer and say, "I did it alright, but get me off anyway." There is a difference between "probably guilty" and "proven guilty." Not that I'm saying it wouldn't bother me, but I also wo ...[text shortened]... her someone else. It wouldn't surprise me to see the guy keep on doing what he has been doing.
People are entitled to a defence because they might be innocent, after all.
If I was a defence lawyer I would be happy to defend someone who I believed to be innocent.
If I knew, or had strong reason to believe they were guilty I couldn't take the case.
Defense lawyers are under no obligation to report the guilt of their clients. That would defeat the purpose of being a defense lawyer. Attorney client privelege prohibits any information from being shared by an attorney to any third party.
As for the orginial question in the thread, I don't know if I could do it either. I find certain crimes to be just so horrible and repulsive I don't think I could defend someone against those charges. Especially if I knew they were guilty.
It's one of the reasons we should all be d@mn glad people are willing to be defense lawyers. It's easy to find fault with those we assume to be guilty, but it's a whole other matter when the strength and power of law enforcement turns its sites on you. And you're innocent!
**Disclaimer - I ain't one of dem fancy yankee lawyers. So take everything I say about the law and consider it "iffy" at best.
With my current situation involving lawyers of all different types I feel it's sickening that a person would stand up and promote dishonesty and lies before a court of law just for money when the person they're representing is guilty and has caused a great deal of pain to others. I often wonder how these people sleep at night knowing they have contributed to the pain of many victums. I could never in good conscience ever argue the innocence of a guilty party.