A while back, an police officer (and a friend) questioned why I did criminal defense and whether I wanted that kind of legacy for myself and my children. This was my response as orginally posted on Facebook: (names have been changed)
The question it seems “John” is asking is “Am I on the wrong side by defending people who are often guilty?”
It confuses what we do to think of it in terms of sides. Good and bad. Right and wrong. Me and the police play a role in a constitutional system of checks and balances. If there were no defense lawyers, police would be completely unchecked. Unaccountable law enforcement produced corruption and injustice in every civilization since the dawn of time. On the other hand, if there were no police, who knows the evil that would run amuck without fear of penalty.
Police keep people accountable. Defense lawyers keep police accountable. That system protects more people than just the guy being arrested. Twenty years from now, when a corrupt or ignorant officer decides to arrest my son on bogus charges, I want there to be a system in place that provides for fairness and accountability. Both functions are vital.
But it’s a strange irony that defense lawyers are considered the sneakier of the two. I do the majority of my work in a court room with a judge and prosecutor watching, listening and analyzing every word. Twelve jurors have to watch decide I am right. Police do the majority of their work in the dark street with no immediate oversight except the loyal opinion of a comrade and the often untrusted word of the accused who must give up his rights to even speak up.
Constitutional safeguards exist to check law enforcement, not check me. The founding fathers feared badges and uniforms, not thugs and blunts.
I’m glad police do what they do. And I’m glad I am there to stop them when they break the rules — either on purpose or when they mistakenly think it is for the greater good. It never is, by the way.
But more important than all this is an underlying spiritual reality. God tell us WE ALL ARE GUILTY. None are good. No, not one. Yet Jesus stands before God the Judge as our mediator. Despite knowing the full extent of our guilt, Jesus pleads to God on our behalf. Jesus is my defense lawyer. And God pardons sin and forgives transgression and delights to show mercy.
I am not Jesus, but I plead to the Judge on behalf of those that need it. I do not apologize for that. I am proud of it.
Very helpful post man, thanks for the info.