You stand, accused.
The victim’s family weeps mournfully in the audience, patiently waiting – hoping – for justice to be served and for you to get your punishment.
The police are disgusted that scum like you are out there, on the streets, committing such heinous crimes.
The DA sits across the aisle, hoping to put you away and pad her record and continue the office’s reputation of ‘tough on crime’.
The judge sits above you, awaiting the time he fulfills his obligation as he does everyday for many others, just like you.
The court officer sits there ready to intervene if you lose it and start acting crazy, because you must be the type of person who would do that if you committed this crime.
The media stands in the galley rapidly writing their story, how the process is going and why, how, and when you’ll be serving your inevitable sentence.
John and Jane sit at home on their couch and watch the news, hoping that nothing like that happens to their family, that they can be spared from the likes of you.
But there is one who stands beside you. Indeed, one who stands before you and declares ‘prove it’. And if they so prove, petitions ‘have mercy’!
Many perceive the criminal defense attorney’s role as helping the guilty get away scot-free. They picture a devious criminal who manipulates system and gets away on a technicality, or a bribe.
Reality is not as exciting. Many people accused of crimes are scared, had a lapse in judgment, maybe victim’s themselves, don’t know their rights, marginalized, or disenfranchised. A court room has never been a place where good things happen for them. They don’t know the rules or the consequences. In that moment of vulnerability, fear, and uncertainty, nobody cares, but one. Everybody assumes you did it and you deserve the worst types of punishments, but one. Innocent until proven guilty is only a vague concept to the masses, but one.
That one, the criminal defense attorney, stands with you and goes before you. They make sure the police followed the rules, that the judge rules with fairness and integrity, that the DA doesn’t cut corners, that your accusers face you and explain themselves, and that the consequence is fair and right if it is even necessary. An advocate for those who have no sympathy, grace, or compassion from the community, only shame. That advocate is for you, ready to fight, anytime you might need it.
Because you never know when you may stand, accused.