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It?s tough out there

By ambimb

This job ain’t easy, and no one can tell you that better than the public defender whose client gets screwed unjustly. Just ask Ipse Dixit: I had a client who got royally FUCKED at a probation violation hearing. I called 3 wits, all of whom were incredibly believable. I cited caselaw DIRECTLY on point saying I win. The prosecution’s only wit (the cop) was such a huge liar even the court staff knew it. The prosecutor later told me she was embarassed by his testimony. And how was justice served? My client got a year. Hooray justice! I have to go slit my wrists. There is nothing quite like doing everything within your power, and doing it well, and having it not matter one fucking bit. Or ask Gideon: In this line of work, I don?t think there?s anything more heart wrenching that sitting across from a likely innocent client and having to tell him that there?s no way to prove that innocence and then watching him hold back tears and decide between two morbid choices: accepting the plea offer and spend the next 15 years locked up or go to trial and risk 60 years...continue to full post

Full post as published by Public Defender Stuff on February 13, 2009 (boomark / email).