Re: Lawyering, Democracy, and the DC Sniper
Just watching them see the case to the end, and try to work the case all the way to the end was enough. Yet, after the execution they read statements relating to the case and paid respect to victims and were not afraid to speak of their client as a person. Jon Sheldon, one of the lawyers, was highly emotional as he read the statement, his voice cracking several times. Obviously, he didn't want anyone to forget that a person was executed (murdered) by state action that evening despite the hysteria and such loss involved. Last time I felt this way about being a lawyer was when the Pakistani lawyers took to the streets in protest in Pakistan to protest a martial law declaration. Their actions were instrumental in preserving some degree of democracy in Pakistan. The lawyers fought for justice which is how it should be anyway. Shakespeare's famous line - "first, lets kill all the lawyers," is a tribute to lawyers because if there are no lawyers, then there is no order, there is no system. I always tell people: I am lucky. I have been a public interest lawyer almost all of my career. I get to do things that changes the lives of people who have, for the most part, given up on such lofty ideals. Yet, I have seen the look on the faces of people many times when they have begun to believe in the system again because I was their lawyer. The lawyers for the DC Sniper make me feel that way about being a lawyer. Your client is not always the choir boy or the angel; in fact, your client will probably never be that person. It is up to you to be their lawyer and to be it as best as you can every moment you work for them. |
There are many moments since I have been a lawyer where I see lawyers do something and I think: damn, I am so proud I am a lawyer. The latest proud moment came when I was watching the lawyers for executed DC Sniper, John Allen Muhammed handle themselves as the