Right to Lawyer Can Be Empty Promise for Poor

[Kire]

Fifty years ago, on March 18, 1963, the Supreme Court unanimously ruled in Gideon v. Wainwright that those accused of a crime have a constitutional right to a lawyer whether or not they can afford one. But as legal officials observe the anniversary of what is widely considered one of the most significant judicial declarations of equality under law, many say that the promise inherent in the Gideon ruling remains unfulfilled because so many legal needs still go unmet.

More: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/16/us/16gideon.html?_r=2.UUalEEwjx0h.reddit

[DallasNE]

1. That Is A Tip Of The Iceberg

The prosecutor in so many of these cases is someone using the position as a stepping stone to higher office so their goal is to be "tough on crime".

Also, the laws have changed where you no longer can petition the court. They can now find you guilty in civil proceeding without giving you a hearing -- a judge simply signs an order garnishing your assets without an opportunity for a hearing. It is now an impenetrable closed circuit where the defendant is excluded. Not only that, but it goes as a mark on your credit record. The problems are now extending out into the middle class as well.

[midnight]

2. About two years ago in Wisconsin they cut funding for public defenders, and the sheriff's

dept. here in Waukesha shifted money to the prosecutors office... Then the bailout money for underwater mortgages was seized by J.B. Van Hollen and Scott Walker to prosecute people and plug Walkers budget holes...

[markboxer]

3. oh they better not

mess with my lawyer

[LegalScholar]

4. Read about corrupt Illinois prosecutors here

http://countyleaks.blogspot.com/

[1983law]

5. You get what you pay for...

This is a sad situation, and as a lawyer I can empathize. Fact is, a lawyer provides a service, just as a mechanic, doctor, etc.--and they have financial needs as well. That said, it is a cornerstone of my practice that at least 25% of my time be for public service.