{"id":568,"date":"2012-01-14T23:55:51","date_gmt":"2012-01-14T23:55:51","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.beliefnet.com\/areasontosmile\/?p=568"},"modified":"2012-01-14T23:56:41","modified_gmt":"2012-01-14T23:56:41","slug":"qa-is-it-wrong-to-defend-guilty-people","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/areasontosmile\/2012\/01\/qa-is-it-wrong-to-defend-guilty-people.html","title":{"rendered":"Q&A: Is it wrong to defend guilty people?"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"<\/a>
The Sword and the Scale are both necessary<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Question submitted via Formspring<\/a>:<\/p>\n

\u201cI am a defense attorney, and my job requires that I defend all of my clients regardless if they have confessed their guilt to me or if I just know that they are guilty. This worries me and my prosecutor friends who convict innocent people. Any advice?\u201d<\/p>\n

In a recent episode of my radio show, Rise UP with B. Dave Walters<\/a>, we discussed:<\/p>\n

Ending the pain of the past, how to tap your own inner strength, how to make the changes you REALLY want to make. During the Q&A portion of the show we talked about this question, but there is definitely more that can be said about it.<\/p>\n

The number one thing to consider is that the right to a fair trial is the absolute cornerstone of Democracy, and what makes this (and any country) great.<\/p>\n

Without a trial system, there is nothing to stop a king, dictator, or who ever decides to from throwing people in jail based on accusations.\u00a0 Quite frankly, it\u2019s what stops another Salem Witch Trial from taking place.<\/p>\n

My advice would be never losing track of how important your role is for all of us, and to try to emphasis justice being done rather than just getting people off completely (if such a thing is possible).\u00a0\u00a0 It can\u2019t be easy to swear an oath to defend people to the best of your ability, and potentially overlook a small loophole or oversight in procedure that would let a guilty person go free.<\/p>\n

Try to work with the Judges and opposing council to find fair sentences and punishments that befit the crime.\u00a0 For instance, maybe a drunk driver who\u2019s a first time offender needs rehab rather than straight jail time, OR to go free unscathed.<\/p>\n

In short, try to keep the focus on justice being served instead of just winning and losing.<\/p>\n

Your position is as absolutely vital as it is difficult, and there will inevitably be many<\/em> situations with no clear solution or way to please everyone.\u00a0 It\u2019s been said that a compromise that everyone is equally unhappy with is probably a good one, and I tend to agree.<\/p>\n

Thank you for all you do.<\/p>\n

What do you think they should do? Feel free to comment down below!<\/p>\n

You are great, and I love you!<\/p>\n

And if you love me back, click ‘share’ up at the top!<\/p>\n

B. Dave Walters<\/p>\n

Writer, Life Coach, and Talk Radio Host<\/p>\n

Find out more about me:
\nhttp:\/\/about.me\/BDaveWalters<\/a><\/p>\n

Ask me anything:
\nhttp:\/\/formspring.me\/BDaveWalters<\/a><\/p>\n

Pages I support:
\nJesus and Buddha\u00a0<\/a>\u00a0— Interfaith dialog<\/p>\n

Gnostic Theism<\/a>\u00a0— Religion and Spirituality for the 21st Century (Join the Movement!)<\/p>\n

Love One Another<\/a>\u00a0— \u00a0A group for the coolest Spiritual people on the Internet!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>\u00a0\"\"<\/a>\u00a0\"\"<\/a>\u00a0\"\"<\/a>\u00a0\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Question submitted via Formspring: \u201cI am a defense attorney, and my job requires that I defend all of my clients regardless if they have confessed their guilt to me or if I just know that they are guilty. This worries me and my prosecutor friends who convict innocent people. 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