Defending the Guilty: A Lawyer's Dilemma

When considering a career in law, many students and aspiring lawyers often ask themselves, "How can I defend someone who I think is guilty?" This question is a common concern for those who are interested in pursuing a career at the bar. In this article, we will explore the answer to this question through a personal anecdote from a seasoned lawyer.

This is the beginning of a personal story about defending the guilty

A Personal Story

The lawyer shares a story about his first criminal trial, where he defended a man who was accused of stealing a frozen meal from Marks and Spencers. The lawyer recounts that the evidence against the man was strong, with four security guards testifying against him. However, the man maintained his innocence, claiming that the whole thing was a "fit up."

The lawyer's first trial was a challenging experience

The Challenge of Defending the Guilty

The lawyer admits that he was initially embarrassed about the man's defense, which seemed like a conspiracy theory. However, as the trial progressed, he began to question the evidence and the motivations of the security guards. He realized that as a defense lawyer, it was not his job to decide whether the man was guilty or not, but rather to present the best possible defense.

The lawyer questioned the evidence and the motivations of the security guards

The Importance of a Defense

The lawyer's experience in the trial led him to realize that as a defense lawyer, it is not his job to decide who is guilty or not. Rather, his job is to assist the jury in coming to their own determination. He emphasizes that everybody is entitled to a defense, regardless of their guilt or innocence.

Everyone is entitled to a defense, regardless of guilt or innocence

The Answer to the Question

The lawyer's experience in his first trial led him to a profound realization about the role of a defense lawyer. He concludes that the answer to the question "How is it that you defend someone who you think is guilty?" is simple: as a defense lawyer, he has no idea who is guilty or not, and he does the same for everyone.

The lawyer's answer to the question

Conclusion

Defending the guilty is a challenging and complex issue that lawyers face every day. Through the lawyer's personal story, we can see that the role of a defense lawyer is not to judge the guilt or innocence of a client, but rather to present the best possible defense. This is a crucial part of the justice system, and it requires courage, professionalism, and determination.

Conclusion: Defending the guilty is a crucial part of the justice system