Title: The practice of criminal defence: why we fight and defend those most imperilled, every day...

Authors: André Bélanger; Beau James Brock

Addresses: Manasseh, Gill, Knipe & Bélanger, Attorneys and Counselors at Law, 8075 Jefferson Highway, Baton Rouge, LA 70809, USA. ' Manasseh, Gill, Knipe & Bélanger, Attorneys and Counselors at Law, 8075 Jefferson Highway, Baton Rouge, LA 70809, USA

Abstract: Being a criminal defence lawyer is a special calling. Aside from dealing with the human element discussed above, they fight daily to see government acts within the bounds established by the Bill of Rights. Who else fights against warrantless searches? Confronts accusers? And who else jealously guards your right against self-incrimination, the right to counsel and the right to a speedy and impartial trial? No one other than the criminal defence lawyer, and this is how and why we do this work, for those most in need.

Keywords: legal rights; victims; crime; right to counsel; professionalism; criminal defence; counsel; legal representation; innocence; accused parties; wrongful accusations; moral lepers; guilty parties; guilt; innocent parties; criminal lawyers; defence lawyers; criminal law; central government; Eighth Amendment; United States Constitution; USA; Bill of Rights; warrantless searches; search warrants; accusers; self-incrimination; speedy trials; impartial trials; public law; public policy.

DOI: 10.1504/IJPLAP.2012.049337

International Journal of Public Law and Policy, 2012 Vol.2 No.4, pp.352 - 356

Published online: 30 Sep 2014 *

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