Community Chat

[Johnnyeager]

Thank goodness that in this country every accused is entitled to mount a vigorous defense, regardless. 

[Love my grandkids]

@Susan in California I'm a retired (of many years) legal secretary as we used to be called.

In fact, many criminal attorneys NEVER ask their clients if they are guilty just for the reason you mentioned.

I once interviewed for a job with a defense attorney but when for full disclosure, he told me he sometimes had clients who were charged with sex crimes I said "no thanks" and walked out.

I never had any respect for F. L. B. None.

[Pearlee]

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@Johnnyeager wrote:

Thank goodness that in this country every accused is entitled to mount a vigorous defense, regardless. 

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And wouldn't it be great if all defense attorneys took on their cases for that reason and not to be in front of the cameras for their own aggrandizement, the publicity, and to charge higher fees in the future.

[Zernia Rose]

@suzyQ3  I absolutely agree. It's a cornerstone of our democracy.  A few defining cases such as the case against Nazis in Skokie, Il, then a majority Jewish suburban, and the ACLU's defense of horrible criminals started the shift for me. If I'm not mistaken,  The other factor was the Innocence Project founded to assist those wrongly ccnnected.  

These are my views and not an attempt to engage in debate but a sharing of experiences that evolved from reading about and watching Chicago news about criminal cases, Black Panthers, the Chicago Seven, and US history courses in college.

[Mersha]

Let's remember that John Adams defended 8 British soldiers that took part in the Boston Massacre because of his belief in fairness of law and justice.

He was quite the patriot.

[Pearlee]

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@Mersha wrote:

Let's remember that John Adams defended 8 British soldiers that took part in the Boston Massacre because of his belief in fairness of law and justice.

He was quite the patriot.

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I don't remember that, I'm too young. I do remember the Sam Sheppard case...

[Susan in California]

@Love my grandkids 

You are absolutely right!

My father was an attorney, as are two other family members.

Defense attorneys definitely have a "don't ask; don't tell"

mantra.

But in the case of FLB, I believe the "Boston Strangler"

confessed to him.  I think he tried the insanity defense, to try to nullify the confession.

Hats off to you!  I know my father would have been lost without his wonderful secretary. 

[Mersha]

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@Zernia Rose wrote:

@suzyQ3  I absolutely agree. It's a cornerstone of our democracy.  A few defining cases such as the case against Nazis in Skokie, Il, then a majority Jewish suburban, and the ACLU's defense of horrible criminals started the shift for me. If I'm not mistaken,  The other factor was the Innocence Project founded to assist those wrongly ccnnected.  

These are my views and not an attempt to engage in debate but a sharing of experiences that evolved from reading about and watching Chicago news about criminal cases, Black Panthers, the Chicago Seven, and US history courses in college.

@Zernia Rose   I enjoy reading your posts and hope you will continue with them.

[golding76]

There were quite a few lawyers and judges in the family of my first husband.  I remember that in the 1960s, they (and I, by extension) had such high regard and respect for the legal acumen of F. Lee Bailey.  The family was highly competitive in academics and intellectually endowed, so earning their respect was an impressive achievement.

F. Lee Bailey was the golden one. 

As for his "failings," it is interesting that some people choose to overlook the severe moral shortcomings of some but castigate others.