Originally Posted by Locke9-05

This topic pertains specifically to the use of criminal defense attorneys in court cases. What are your thoughts? Is there need for them? Or are criminal defense lawyers just an unnecessary variable that can sway the decision for good or bad?

Personally I feel there is no need for criminal defense attorneys. The justice system is structured in such a way that the evidence should be more than enough to convict or condemn a man or woman brought up on criminal charges. If an innocent man is accused of a crime, he simply tells the truth. The evidence in most cases will support him. If a guilty man is accused, in most cases, he's going to lie. Why then should we compromise the justice system's integrity by providing the guilty party with the right to a professional who can lie very convincingly? It doesn't make sense.

As it stands right now, a guilty murderer charged with his crime--who is well to do financially--can hire an expert attorney who will then lie to the judge and jury and in all probability dramatically decrease or maybe even eliminate the chances of a rightful conviction. On the other hand, an innocent man brought up on the same charges--who is struggling with money--cannot afford such an expert attorney and will end up spending life in prison or put to death. This is not how things should be.