I am thinking of doing law at university but i dont like the thought of having to defend a guilty person. Are there different types of lawyers? If so, then could someone please tell me. Thanks!
2007-08-07 11:23:48 · 15 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
There are many different types of lawyers... the type you are speaking of are called criminal lawyers.. and yes, you do have to defend guilty people. I have a friend who is a CL and he says that he thinks of it as finding the "loophole" that no one else thought of that brings reasonable doubt into the mind of the juror.
Why don't you look up the different types of law you can study at the college you are interested in going to? At some point, every lawyer is going to have to defend someone who is guilty of something. If you get big and rich, you can pick and choose... but that isn't going to make you a very good lawyer....
Have you thought about being a prosecution attorney? You wouldn't be defending anyone - you'd be going after the guilty ones.... of course... this doesn't pay as well as it is usually a government job.
2007-08-07 11:30:19 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
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2016-12-23 00:12:46 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The law doesn't work the way your question is asked. TV makes it seem like people either are completely wrong or completely right. That is my dream case. I've yet to have it.
Usually, neither side is without some blame. Example: A condominium hires a fire alarm company to provide alarm services pursuant to local ordinances for the next 20 years. 15 years pass. The building is then re-wired for electricity by the condominium. The re-wiring POSSIBLY (no one is sure) speeds the decay of the alarm system and the system fails 18 years into the 20 year contract.
However, ten years before the alarm failed (8 years into the contract), the alarm company decided to stop keeping spare parts for the system in stock in case a repair was needed. The alarm company knew ten years ago that the alarm system could fail in one day or last for another 20 years. The alarm company admits it took a gamble on whether the alarms would last for the 20 year contract term. The contract requires the alarm company to make routine repairs.
Who is at fault? I'm litigating that case right now. If everything was black and white, we wouldn't need laws. The fact is, almost everything is gray. Criminal law is just the same. Every case is judged on its merits. As an attorney, you learn almost no one is completely innocent or completely guilty. Every case is different.
2007-08-07 14:42:34 · answer #3 · answered by mcmufin 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
How do you know they're guilty until there's a trial where the accused gets a vigorous defense?
You don't have to be a defense lawyer. There are all kinds of law. But if you don't like they idea of representing somebody you don't completely believe in, don't be a lawyer, because most of the time that's what you'll have to do.
Of course, you could be a prosecutor. Then instead of feeling guilty about defending the guilty sometimes, you could feel guilty about imprisoning the innocent sometimes.
2007-08-07 11:35:20 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think you will make a very good living if you defend only innocent people, although it would be a pleasant change if you as a lawyer tried to do it that way. I think I would avoid the profession for the reason that you give.
Most lawyers look for ways for their clients to do the things they want to do without getting arrested for it.
If you could get enough clients making out simple wills or straight-forward real estate deeds, you could make an okay living, but you probably wouldn't become filthy rich like some lawyers.
2007-08-07 11:33:23 · answer #5 · answered by JiveMan 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Maybe you should consider corporate law, estate planning, bankruptcy or one of the other many areas where guilt and innocence isn't an issue.
In most criminal cases though, you will never really know if your client is guilty or innocent.
The guilty are in need of defense, sometimes more than the innocent, if for no other reason than to deal with the sentencing rules.
Of course, if you know your client is guilty, and he wants you to claim that he is innocent (not just get him a plea bargain or probation), you can always recuse yourself and send him to someone else.
2007-08-07 11:35:43 · answer #6 · answered by BruceN 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you are a free-lance lawyer the choice is yours. If you work for the state or a big law-firm, you defend who they tell you to. That is the same reason I couldn't become a lawyer, because I couldn't bring myself defend someone KNOWING they were guilty. But, if you became a prosecutor you could lock the bad guys up! :)
2007-08-07 11:35:57 · answer #7 · answered by nursekelly_83 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The lawyer has to believe in his client's innocence. If he truly knows his client is guilty and does not communicate that fact to the court, he has violated the Canons of Conduct of the Bar Association and can face disbarment.
2007-08-07 11:28:15 · answer #8 · answered by desertviking_00 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You have a choice who you want as a client. The only time you are compelled to defend someone without choice, is if you get drawn to do time in the indigent [public] defenders office.
2007-08-07 11:27:01 · answer #9 · answered by WC 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The vast majority of defendants in criminal actions are guilty. You superior moral convictions mean that you are not likely to be successful in the legal profession. I suggest you consider another career.
2007-08-07 11:36:25 · answer #10 · answered by milton b 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋