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Client Control

By Shawn Matlock

I love this phrase.  It shows a complete lack of understanding of the justice system, as well as the attorney's role in it.  It makes me laugh.  It makes me cry.  Well, maybe not cry.All too often I hear this phrase in the context of two situations.  The first is from another defense attorney who claims I should exhibit more client control because my client won't do "what's best for everyone."  Apparently, there are those attorneys who think that if a codefendant's choices cause problems for their client, that the attorney should reel them in, so to speak.  Retards.We all know that the ultimate decision-making authority in a criminal case rests with the defendant.  The defendant pleads guilty or not guilty, not the defense attorney.  The defendant chooses to testify, not the defense attorney...continue to full post

Full post as published by The Matlock Blog on July 15, 2009 (boomark / email).