What do you think of lawyers? Do you think it's still reputable when they're defending possible criminals?

Question

OlderAndWiser · Accepted Answer

I don't practice in the area of criminal law, but I can tell you what my colleagues would say.

1. How do you know that they are criminals before they are convicted? Simple because they have been charged with a crime?

2. A defense lawyer's role is not to guarantee that his client is acquited of all charges; it is to make sure that his client gets a fair trial.

3. If there is not a defense lawyer present, protesting and objecting when things are amiss, who else will make sure that the trial is fair?

4. Your perception of how "the system" ought to work would change drastically if you were falsely accused of a crime. . . wouldn't it?

As for those saying that all attorneys are crooks. . . that is like saying that all young people are lazy, want government handouts, are horribly disrespectful, etc. because that's what you see in the news videos when kids are protesting, insisting on handouts, etc. The kids who are industrious, apply themselves, do well in school, are respectful, etc. don't get news coverage, do they? But if you judge kids by the videos on the news, you get a very distorted image.

I volunteer time every year to providing free services to the poor. Many attorneys do. Many donate money to legal aid programs every year. Have you EVER read a news story about that? Of course not.

No, everything you know about attorneys is either learned from news reports of the attorneys gone bad, or from the stereotypes perpetuated by late night TV hosts/"comedians."

PositiveFlight · Accepted Answer

First of all, a person is not a criminal until proven guilty in a court of law. No matter who in the public thinks they did it or even if they witnessed the act and the public is crying out for punishment. The judicial system (US courts) is not based on public opinion. Due process requires that everyone have legal representation. Yes there are a lot of crooked lawyers, but there are also a lot of good ones who put a lot of time and energy into ensuring that fair justice prevails for their client or for the state.

Aerissa_Jade · Accepted Answer

Attorney's jobs are to win, at least that is how many see it. Prosecutor's often will go for someone they know might be innocent, just to get the win because the case leans that way, even if they suspect the person might be innocent.

Many defense attorney's used to be prosecutors who switched sides, because they hated putting innocent people and started to feel guilt, now they are using the same tricks to get people off.

If the evidence is there though, no way to get someone off.

That is just the criminal system as on the civil side they work differently. They explain the law and push things, such as in family court, or suing someone because of... whatever reason.

Someone being arrested, does not mean they are guilty of anything and if they do not get representation then they cannot be convicted because it could be thrown out. Someone has to represent them.

Personally I find defense attorney's don't seem to care if I'm innocent and prosecutors don't seem to care if I'm innocent. Yet people with money and if you happen to be white, get way better representation in the legal system.

BeeNee · Accepted Answer

I consider lawyers no more or less reputable than a doctor who saves the criminals life so they can then be represented by said lawyer in the court room. They are doing their job as dictated by society. We have to always remember that not all "criminals" are actually  guilty. Plenty of people who people thought were 100% guilty have gone to jail for crimes they didn't commit. If we start saying people shouldn't be represented, we go back to that world where people can just be killed or violently injured because someone thinks they're getting justice.

NathanDavis · Answer

funny... how there might be more criminals in suits screwing people all over and in so many ways and lawyers being key in that mess... than there are criminals in jail, along with the innocent people screwed by lawyers, prosecutors and all those types of people

corruption... whenever and wherever you see it, there's a lawyer involved, no doubt... that's where the bad reputation comes

but sure, not all of them are like that... because not all of them need to be like that, you just need a few lol

BCRanger10 · Answer

The fact that someone is a "possible" criminal is exactly why lawyers are there. Or at least that's one reason. Everyone deserves legal representation. Here's something to think about...

MCheetah · Answer

Lawyers used to be the most scummy profession in the Western world. Nowadays though, it's mainstream media "journalists." Especially anyone from the dying network CNN. They are far more scummy and disgusting than ambulance chasing lawyers and IRS agents EVER were!

Goforit1010 · Answer

I think most lawyers are lower than whale turds at the bottom of the ocean. I trust used car dealers over lawyers. Always have, even when I needed one for a divorce.

There are some (damn few - 1-3%) that actually care about their clients. Nearly ALL the rest are in it for the money. The vast majority could care less about getting justice, serving the law, or truly defending their client.

normalice · Answer

The key word is "possible." I do wish there was a way to stop letting go people off on certian technicalities but I also understand it is far worse to ruin the life of an innocent person with prison than to let go a guilty person.

Anyway, most lawyers prefer to be prosecutors specifically for this reason. But if they must be defense, most push guilty clients to enter a guilty plea. It's expensive to go to court.

Agape93 · Answer

Not a fan. They make money by screwing people over, often victims who couldn't afford better lawyers than the ones who hurt em.

Daniela1982 · Answer

Here is my opinion of most lawyers who make their living off of people's misfortunes.

Harbringer26 · Answer

I've always had a hard time understanding that profession. How can you sleep at night in those instances where you're defending a *known* criminal who's guilt is all but ascertained and the trial is only a formality, such as mass killers or rapists or pedophiles, arsonists, human traffickers etc. It's ironic how a vocation supposedly dedicated to justice seems to be far more about simply winning cases and gaining clout for ones bureau.

Summeroflove · Answer

That depends. Not all lawyers do that and they are a necessary part of the justice system or not. That really depends on the integrity of the lawyer. I knew a cop who married a defense lawyer though

TrueConfection · Answer

Yes because everyone has a right to a fair trial (even if they don't deserve it). Someone has to do the job of upholding those rights for all of us.

AngryCarl · Answer

The judicial system requires that criminals have legal representation. I think they get paid too much.

MementoMori_ · Answer

I think 90% of them are crooks who only care about running up your bill. They know they have you by the balls so they make you pay and pay.

Andres77 · Answer

There might be a few good people out there that have become lawyers but without fail, every one with whom I’ve spoken was a scheming ferret. No offense to ferrets.

Sixgunsound · Answer

I think every single one of us has done something we’re not proud of for money at some point.

dustybiker · Answer

They don’t like it when you know more than them.

andreasderjuengere · Answer

I feel little respect for them. They are either prostitutes, or not even required if courts would only give up their rituals.

Anonymous · Answer

Absolutely. The higher paid the slimier they are generally. No one who wants to make money being a lawyer is actually seeking JUSTICE.🤣🤣🤣 Not unless they've been divorced from right or wrong for so long they just simply have no concept of it anymore.

exitseven · Answer

They are crooks with a license. Apologies to @OlderandWiser.

Cubus · Answer

Well, I;m a law student, but I don;t plan to be an attorney

Wise4myage · Answer

Sure, if the defendant is innocent.

TroyDT2 · Answer

Absolutely.

Dinosaursandanime65 · Answer

…. They are super meh

Guardian45 · Answer

Meh! NO Comment!

What do you think of lawyers? Do you think it's still reputable when they're defending possible criminals?

Most Helpful Opinions

What Girls & Guys Said

What do you think of lawyers? Do you think it's still reputable when they're defending possible criminals?

Most Helpful Opinions

What Girls & Guys Said

We're glad to see you liked this post.