As in my previous post, these thoughts come from working for an attorney who does some public defender work in our court system.
I've been questioned, and used to question it myself, how someone could defend the guy who really did it. Defend their sin? No. Defend their rights? Yes. It's not about saying they didn't do it or that they don't deserve to be punished. It's about making sure they are treated fairly by our system - put in place for fairness - and that the course of action chosen, leads to something better in the future.
One of the criminal clients had a family member visit recently and talk to one of the attorneys. I tried not to listen, but I did catch things like - "That will give him hope;" "That will keep the end in sight;" "Then maybe he can get some help." That's what it's about. Our system is not just supposed to punish, but ideally it can help to rehabilitate and redeem.
Wouldn't you hope that when someone is released down the road, that some program or some kindness shown to them helps them be a better person? That is why everyone gets a lawyer appointed to them should the choose, and why criminals get defended.
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