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: A Public Defender's Life in Alaska

So, I have been thinking a lot over the last couple of days about what it means to be a criminal defense lawyer. About what our job is and what it should be. I came across this decription today: "we hold the line against police and government intrusions. Our job is to fight back". Well amen. What is the line between being courteous and a zealous advocate? Between being aggressive and following the rules? I find myself pondering these questions. When does a lawyer stand up and say "enough" in the face of a constitutional violation, regardless of the cost? I am not a politician. I am not on a committee. My job is not to please the State or the Court. I am supposed to call out injustice whenever I see it. Yes, I sometimes use intemperate language. I have been accused of being 'rash'. But who would you rather have as YOUR advocate? The lawyer concerned about pleasing the State or the lawyer who is prepared to fight as hard as he can for you? Public Defenders have a hard enough convincing many folks that we are "real lawyers". So I am so very, very glad that I work in an environment where I am encourged to be a zealous advocate and to call out injustice whereever it exists. I may annoy the police or the State or the Court but I hope that in the end they respect my zeal to protect my clients. And, despite the fat that many of you may not agree with what I say on this blog, I hope that each and every American supports my right to say it. Like I said, I've been thinking about what it means to be a lawyer and double checking that I am that type of lawyer.

Full post as published by A Public Defender's Life in Alaska on February 16, 2011 (boomark / email).