I am not stating my personal belief one way or another. As a law student, at a Christian law school, it is something that is mentioned periodically and I think there are pretty interesting arguments on both sides.
I just wanted to see what you guys think about someone who is a Christian making his living by representing defendants in criminal matters, many who are clearly guilty. Would your answer be any different if the attorney were appointed to represent a criminal defendant if it is not his typical practice? (in many jurisdictions judges appoint attorneys from a variety of practice fields to represent indigent defendants, so in those places most attorneys have ad to play this role at some point)
2007-04-16 15:42:39 · 18 answers · asked by PapayaWine 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Based on my experience with lawyers I don't think that you're going to find too many Christians becoming criminal defense attorneys. The reality is most of them just want to be judges.
2007-04-23 13:38:37 · answer #1 · answered by Boston Bluefish 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The criminal defense attorney, while representing an individual client, is actually defending the rights of all accused. The defense attorney is engaged in assuring that the trial is conducted fairly and that the accused (not guilty until convicted, remember the presumption of innocence) is given an opportunity to present his case without prejudice.
Very often in the past, accusation itself was grounds for a mob to lynch an accused person.
If you consider also that one of the corporal works of mercy is to visit the imprisoned, defending an accused person is a very Christian act.
2007-04-16 16:32:20 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Absolutely not. I work for a Criminal Defense attorney who is also a Christian. The mission statement for the firm is as follows: "It is our goal to seek and serve Christ in all persons, and by doing so, to provide the highest quality legal representation..."
Christ was an advocate to the outcasts of society. Remember when the townspeople dragged the adulterous woman out and threatened to stone her to death? It was Christ who became her advocate. It was Christ who rushed to her defense and pointed out to the angry croud that ALL were guilty of sin.
Everyone is deserving of grace. The entire concept of Christianity is grace. The reason Christ was sacrificed is so that through grace, we could be forgiven for our naturally sinful nature.
God does not look at the murderer with any less love than He looks at the priest. He loves all equally, even when we break His commandments and break His heart. As Christians, we should not judge others but love them with the love of Christ. That means to become advocates for those who otherwise may not find anyone to stand up for them.
2007-04-20 11:32:04 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You won't like this one. Since you already regularly defend a death cult intent upon global conquest, defending criminals should be a breeze. Since you already think all religions are fake, except for yours, the duplicity of defending a horrible person should be second nature. Since your god is a celibate Hanged God (a Gallows God), promoting the positive aspects of a convicted felon should be right at home with you. Since your faith views itself as the only Positive, yet openly prays for the world to come to an end, being a criminal defence attorney shouldn't be too hard.
2007-04-16 15:50:31 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Well, it would be very unpopular for some nice Jewish Attorney to take Jesus Case before Pilate and against the Pharisees.
But boy, would that make the history books!
What do you think. Could Wambaugh prove Jesus was the MEssiah!
That case makes To Kill a Mockingbird look like PC dribble.
2007-04-16 15:52:23 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's important that everyone, even the guilty, are afforded the full rights and protections of the legal system. Defending a criminal doesn't necessarily mean you are trying to get them off, but that you are ensuring the justice system works just as well for them as the next guy.
2007-04-16 15:49:46 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Why should it be inconsistent for a Christian?
My understanding is that Jesus was cricified with two common criminals and commended them to God, which was ostensibly an act of defense in their behalf.
The final decision rested with God who, as we are told, accepted the defense of his prophet, Jesus.
It would therefore be very Christ-like, meaning very Christian, to defend a criminal.
2007-04-24 15:49:50 · answer #7 · answered by tamarindwalk 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I find this to be an absurd question to be honest. What does your religion have to do with what your profession is. I don't really see how being a Christian would in any way get in the way of being a lawyer. Do you think that religion is going to get in the way of making a legal decision. To me that seems absurd. If someone were that religious they wouldn't be thinking of going to law school, they would be too busy dealing with god and not dealing with the real world.
2007-04-16 15:51:59 · answer #8 · answered by lochmessy 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I guess similar things could be said for prosecution lawyers and judges, because Christ said to forgive and not to judge, yet a lawyer on the side of the prosecution is certainly unforgiving and makes accusations and makes character judgements against people that are clearly innocent.
2007-04-16 15:58:23 · answer #9 · answered by serialcoyote 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Guilt or innocence is decided by the best case put forth. Morals are secondary to the Law. Somethings are immoral but not illegal according to the Law
2007-04-16 15:49:27 · answer #10 · answered by j.wisdom 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋