How does a lawyer come to terms with defending someone that is obviously guilty?

I have come to understand that they do not ask if the client is innocent or guilty. What they try to do is prove beyond a reasonable doubt that their client is not the perpetrator of whatever he is accused of. I personally could not live with myself if I let a guilty person (especially if they are unrepentant) walk free and worst of all commit the crime again.

by dwatk

Technically they are not supposed to. If a lawyer believes their client guilty, they are supposed to remove themselves as that person's representative at court. I'm not saying they all do this, but from my understanding, they should.

by DamienR

I think that is something you have to come to terms with straight away, or you are in the wrong job. Everyone is entitled to legal counsel, even if you are a terrorist whose crime was witnessed by hundreds of innocent people/ survivors. There are lawyers who work for The Mob and gangs, and if they are good at their craft, they would do their very best. They would find some little loophole that would let their client off. There is always the old standby that " they weren't read their rights properly" , so they go free. I'm sure these lawyers are well paid, but they would try their best.

by Lluxi

I truly don't know. It is beyond me how some people can defend perpetrators of horrific crimes.

by Rice

Oh! Rice, I concur!

Yes, donjo, I fear it smacks of selling one's soul :((

This is a very interesting question that I have always wondered about. I personally have no clue how someone would be able to cope with that. But it is very interesting to see others' responses.

by DanyaS

You need to be tough to be a criminal lawyer - you have a client who you have to defend....

by Finy

Well. innocent until proven guilty is what they have to believe. They get paid obscene amounts of money no matter what side they are on! I think if the lawyer has gotten a guilty person off and that person repeats the crime, the lawyer should be jailed along with the perpetrator! Wouldn't that make the lawyers clean up their act???

by brigi