Sherman90
Distinguished Member
- Joined
- Mar 7, 2008
- Messages
- 1,092
- Reaction score
- 5
I'd like to solicit the opinion of those practising criminal defense about whether their careers ever conflict with their conscience - or if, in fact, the opposite is true.
I'm far, far beyond the "How can you defend people you know are guilty?" frame of mind, but I can't escape the notion that the actual practise of criminal defence requires lawyers to do sleazy things: like cross-examining (often very young or vulnerable) victims, attempting to exploit the administration of justice through delay or other frivolous technicalities, suggesting truths you know are untrue, and in general attempting to dissect facts you feel are true for the purpose of destabilizing their truth.
I really don't mean to suggest that defence lawyers are any more or less subject to the unsavoury dimensions of legal practise (all lawyers are asked to take a side), and I won't mention the incredible merit I see in criminal defense work. It's the questions that are bothering me...
Thanks
I'm far, far beyond the "How can you defend people you know are guilty?" frame of mind, but I can't escape the notion that the actual practise of criminal defence requires lawyers to do sleazy things: like cross-examining (often very young or vulnerable) victims, attempting to exploit the administration of justice through delay or other frivolous technicalities, suggesting truths you know are untrue, and in general attempting to dissect facts you feel are true for the purpose of destabilizing their truth.
I really don't mean to suggest that defence lawyers are any more or less subject to the unsavoury dimensions of legal practise (all lawyers are asked to take a side), and I won't mention the incredible merit I see in criminal defense work. It's the questions that are bothering me...
Thanks