Why, as an attorney, would you want to represent a criminal?

Question

I was just watching CNN and they showed the attorney for that Guy in Missouri who kidnapped those boys. He looks like a sleezebag too.

I just don't get it. Why would you want to defend a criminal?

I suppose it's money, but where do the criminals get the money to pay an attorney?

Answer 1

It is scary to me that there are people who don't want the accused to have an attorney. Sometime, as in the Duke Rape Case, the defendants are innocent. When they were accused, did you also ask this stupid question?

Take a close look, friends. Mimi Lola and her kind are the future of our country.

Answer 2

An Attorney is compelled to represent a known criminal in the same manner that a doctor is expected to save lives. All lives, including life of even a criminal. That's the oath they took. Not that an attorney has such profound commitment as that of a doctor, but the principal is the same.

Do they get paid for it? Of course! But then again, so does a doctor. We all go to work for money. That, however, is not the reason why an attorney steps up to defend a criminal instead of an innocent person. The cause is, or at least it should be, far more noble than just the money part of it.

Thank god, that this is the way it is. Otherwise, think of what a lop-sided legal system we would have to live with. Do you not see what happens in places like, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Saudi Arabia, and several countries in South American, Africa and Asia? Would you wish to live in a system where you are considered guilty until proven innocent? Think about it before you make judgements on who is or isn't entitled to fair and proper deffence,

Answer 3

I live in Missouri.... First of all Everyone has the right to Due Process and even this guy has that because he is an-American Citizen... If you were accused of anything you would need an attorney either way. Its your right to understand and defend your self in a court of law. Not all Attorneys are bad or do things just for the Money. I do believe this guy kidnapped these boys and for what ever the reason it was NOT right! There is always two sides to a story. So, let the court system find out what is Facts and what is Assumptions or oppinions.

Answer 4

~I agree with Penelope Yelsopee, you are innocent until proven guilty, even YOU! "He LOOKS like a sleezebag." You're already saying he's guilty. He might be, but what if he weren't? What if it were a family member accused of something they didn't do?

The court appointed attorneys are ones that have to do so many pro-bono cases before they can practice on their own, so criminals aren't getting good experienced attorneys unless they have their own money.

They also do it on big cases all over the news for publicity.

A lot of attorneys are criminals too, because they charge so much! Not everyone can afford an attorney that should have one. So mostly the rich and poor get representation.~

Answer 5

Because our legal system is not based on emotion.

When the rights of a defendant are ignored simply because of how the public perceives them, the rights of all defendants, in all situations, are put in jeopardy. At that point, there is no justice for anyone and we dissolve into a system of mob rule where the concepts of right and wrong and guilty and innocent go out the window.

When the rights of one who is obviously guilty are protected, it guarantees that the rights of all defendants (particularly the innocent) are preserved.

Imagine that you are accused of a crime. All the evidence points to your guilt. The public is screaming for your head. You are facing the full resources (including a limitless budget) of the state without representation. But, you are innocent. Do we simply ignore your claims of innocence, the possibility of prosecutorial misconduct and all other factors because you have been found guilty in the "court of public opinion?"

Lawyers who take unpopular cases do so because they believe in the system and believe that principle and the rule of law is of greater value than petty revenge.

As for who pays for the attorney, the defendant pays if they have the capacity. If not, a lawyer is provided by the state. Why would the state pay if the defendant can't? Because the preservation of the rights of the accused is recognized to be that important.

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Answer 6

I'm not an attorney myself, but I would think the ones who are decent people would feel a duty to defend criminals. Otherwise, if the public thought of someone as a criminal before a fair trial, then nobody would defend them and a few innocent people would end up in jail along with all the criminals. Oh yeah, and then there are the greedy d*@^#%bags who are not so decent.

Answer 7

The criminals would find the money. When they need something, they'll find a way to get it. And of course the lawyer would represent them if there's a lawsuit involved. Defense is an important part of the system. As sick as the crimes committed may be, everyone has a right to be defended to the full extent. I think that's what prevents the lawyers from feeling guilty. It's only right to obtain the most accurate ruling. Without defense, people would be framed constantly and there would be tons more cover-ups and conspiracies.

Answer 8

Legally the guy is presumed innocent until a jury of his peers says otherwise. He, like every one of you armchair jurists, is entitled to the best possible representation. I don't know that he is guilty and I don't know that what the police says is true. Be honest here, how many of you have railed against the police and their actions in the past? And now we are going to send a guy to prison without fair representation? Child molesters are vile and disgusting with no redeeming qualities. But before I am going to convict somebody of it I want them to have the best possible legal defense. Then I can rest comfortably in the knowledge that the right person went to jail.

Sure an attorney expects to get paid. They invest a lot of time into getting their law license and it is reasonable that they should get paid for sharing their competence. I hold a couple degrees and I certainly charge enough for my skills and I'll bet all of you do too. If it is doing something I don't agree with, does that make you a sleazeball too?

Answer 9

The funny thing is attorney's may not have a choice in choosing the case if like you said they need the money. Morality is not always top priority in this country. Maybe the lawyer waits for that one person assumed guilty to defend and prove thecourt wrong...and be right. I know it's not common. But some innocent dad's get executed...later to be found innocent. If we all assumed them guilty noone would want to give em a chance.And there would be no point in a trial.

Answer 10

Legal Aid pays for attorneys for people with no money and in the end it's paid by the sucker taxpayers. Lawyers would represent a criminal because it is our system and our system supports the fact that everyone is innocent until proven guilty. You wouldn't want to live where the public drags you to the square and tars and feathers you would you? Or would you like to live where your enemy's uncle is the judge and you get hung for getting in an argument with the relatives.

Answer 11

It is NOT money. We (attorneys) often get ordered by the Court to represent criminals. We do not always (often) get paid and it is our duty, as officers of the Court, to provide competent representation of ANY client we represent. Our society, unlike most of the world, presumes an arrested person is innocent and requires they be given counsel. I have represented criminal defendants by Court order and I have NEVER been paid for it.