Spinoff to the Horrible ,sick man post

As a lawyer,how do you defend this person knowing what they are being convicted of????? I don't think I would be able to try to help him or anyone else.l

Re: Spinoff to the Horrible ,sick man post

I'm not a lawyer but I guess lawyers believe in the whole "innocent until proven guilty" deal. I would never be able to do that, personally.

This particular case aside, what if someone was wrongly accused? It is rare, but it happens... there has to be someone able to defend that person and try to show the other side of it.

Message edited 1/30/2009 2:43:55 PM.

Re: Spinoff to the Horrible ,sick man post

A lot of the time the issue of guilt isn't in question. A lawyer will work to lighten the sentence and the type of time they serve by spinning the facts in a way that will make the jury more sympathetic. Love sick, heart broken, insane from her leaving, whatever. The lawyer is banking on someone relating to the emotional aspect.

Re: Spinoff to the Horrible ,sick man post

I am in the criminal law field (but not defense), and often ask this question and defense attorneys tell me that they take these cases, not focusing on whether the defendant is guilty or not, but focusing on whether they have not been wrongfully prosecuted, have due process, have a fair day in court - the rationale is that everyone is entitled to a fair trial and that by making sure that these psychos get a fair trial in court makes sure that the government is not trampling on people's rights. They focus more on the actual law and making sure the People (government) adheres by it than on whether the person actually committed the crime.

Message edited 1/30/2009 2:56:33 PM.