Why do lawyers defend people even when they are guilty? Are they encouraging crime in the society?

Question

A man raped a girl, The case was taken to court and the man was granted freedom. WHY?

Answer 1

I am not defending what happened in this crime, but the reason is that everyone has a right to a lawyer. When a case comes about, there may be doubts as to whether the person is guilty or not. Remember, innocent until proven guilty? Well, then a person needs a lawyer to make sure their rights aren't infringed upon. Let's say you were accused of a crime, such as stealing from a store, but you did not do it. Would you want them to assume you were guilty and just put you away without a fair trial and someone to protect your rights? Probably not.

The sad thing is, guilty people do get to go free. In many cases, this is because of lack of evidence, a mishandling of the situation by cops, or another reason not always dealing with the lawyer. Just because it seems like someone is guilty, without evidence, is there any way to be 100% sure? Would you rather innocent people be put behind bars just to make sure no guilty person ever gets away? What if that person was you?

The justice system annoys me too, believe me. My sister is currently dealing with an abusive ex boyfriend that seems to be able to do whatever the hell he wants and still gets to walk free and terrorize my family. I hate the fact that he is guilty of multiple crimes, even a recent robbery, but due to lack of proof, he is walking free right now. So I am not saying it always works out for the best, but there really is no other way right now.

Answer 2

Lawyers are like everyone else, it's their career, it's their job, someone comes to them and wants their services, and their duty as a member of the court is that they must represent that person to the best of their ability. That's just the way it is. No, they are not encouraging crime in society.

There are certain things that must occur in every case, miranda rights, reports filed, witnsses, and things need to be proven, and if they aren't proven exactly by the law then some criminal goes free. Sometimes even if an important court date isn't adhered to the case is closed. Anyway, we don't know what proof that girl had, or don't even know if she testified, or if she was of good character (which could mean anything from being drunk and not remembering if she fought to get away from the guy or not to being a druggie). Without the entire case in front of us we can't even explain it to you.

Answer 3

Because, according to the justice system, he either did NOT rape the girl or a gross injustice occurred during the investigation. Lawyers have a job to do. The fourth ammendment guarantees you the right to council to represent your interests in a court of law. Despite opinion to the contrary, innocent people DO get charged with crimes. Since you cannot arbitrarily separate the guilty and the innocent, lawyers represent both sides and the issue is determined based on evidence by either a judge or a jury of peers. That's the way the system works. Is it perfect? No....but it's certainly better than any other system in place globally.

Answer 4

Under US law everyone has a right to a fair trial and representation. Everyone is considered innocent unless proven guilty therefore attorneys are always representing the innocent. Although there are times when a lawyer may feel their client is guilty ,they cannot let their own feelings and opinions get in the way. Innocence or guilt isn't up to the attorney. Only the court can decide that.

Answer 5

The job of an attorney is not to determine guilt/innocence. That is strictly the duty of the jury who will sit on the case. The job of the attorney is to provide as good a defense as is possible to the client.

Stop to think about what you are asking. Were YOU in a similar position and felt innocent, what would YOU do if no attorney would take your defense because they THOUGHT you were guilty ?

Answer 6

Because that is their job. They take an oath to defend everyone they defend to their best of their abilities. It is their duty whether they like it or not. No they do not encourage crime. If they do not fulfill their oath, they go before the BAR and may get the license to practice law taken away

Answer 7

While there is no accounting for the verdict in that case, the fact remains that EVERYONE is entitled to legal counsel, regardless of the crime. Even the most heinous (involving children) criminals are entitled to counsel.

It is part of the American legal system. Remember everyone is presumed innocent unless proven guilty. Not UNTIL, but unless. Saying until presumes that everyone is guilty.

Hope this helps.

Answer 8

it not that they are encouraging crime, it in the bill of rights that all people are inocent untill proven guilty, and they have the right for a lawer,as why he was granted freedom i don't know there are many posible reasons, one coud be mistaken id or some else intirely

Answer 9

It is a society related problem. Mosy of the LAWYERS are actually LIARS. Sorry, no offence meant to good professionals. The example also shows the power of MONEY irrespective of which land of the Earth you live in.Again, unfortunately, as they say, law ( to read- JUDGE )is blind and bases all judgements on the proofs provided. I wish better sense prevails and the advocates are a little more sensitive & compassionate. Maybe we then live in a more safer place.

Answer 10

Because everyone deserves a fair trial. This is America. You might feel differently if you were the one falsely accused of a crime, or if you committed a crime to feed your starving family.