it would be cool but it seems like too much work and you're expected to dress and act too conservatively in public for my tastes
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Would you be a lawyer ERA?
- Thread starter Baphomet
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No, but mostly because it seems exhausting both mentally and emotionally. Most people in the legal profession I've talked to are very smart and cool but pretty unhappy
Nope.
But mostly because of the amount of paper work and law knowledge that is recquired to do the job. And also because it recquires to speak to people you don't know and othen in public. Otherwise i wouldn't have minded.
Lawyers don't necessarily defend bad people you know ? A bunch of them dearly care about right and wrong and refuse to defend some people if they don't feel them. Others are assholes who would defend anything, obviously. But that's what humanity is : there's good people, and there's bad people. A job's just a job.
But mostly because of the amount of paper work and law knowledge that is recquired to do the job. And also because it recquires to speak to people you don't know and othen in public. Otherwise i wouldn't have minded.
Lawyers don't necessarily defend bad people you know ? A bunch of them dearly care about right and wrong and refuse to defend some people if they don't feel them. Others are assholes who would defend anything, obviously. But that's what humanity is : there's good people, and there's bad people. A job's just a job.
I once read a great article about the institutional role of criminal defence lawyers. Basically, the prosecution has the weight of the resources of the state and the mindset that "well, if the police think he's guilty then he must be guilty!" on their side, where as the defence often has but a single lawyer.
Criminal defence is an important job. They keep the criminal justice system accountable in a very literal way by trying to point out every mistake that was made and forcing the government to account for it. It actually has very little to do with the guilt or innocence of your client, because everyone is entitled to their rights. People often talk about lawyers getting people off on technicalities, but they're not technicalities: They're mistakes, and the only way to ensure they don't happen again is for there to be consequences for making them. Caring only about innocence or guilt is skipping right to the ending without caring how you got there. It's being permissive of any behavior that comes in between.
I'm trying to be a criminal defence lawyer and I hear the "how can you defend guilty people" near daily, including from lawyers.
Criminal defence is an important job. They keep the criminal justice system accountable in a very literal way by trying to point out every mistake that was made and forcing the government to account for it. It actually has very little to do with the guilt or innocence of your client, because everyone is entitled to their rights. People often talk about lawyers getting people off on technicalities, but they're not technicalities: They're mistakes, and the only way to ensure they don't happen again is for there to be consequences for making them. Caring only about innocence or guilt is skipping right to the ending without caring how you got there. It's being permissive of any behavior that comes in between.
I'm trying to be a criminal defence lawyer and I hear the "how can you defend guilty people" near daily, including from lawyers.
I started as a lawyer 16 yeas ago and am now a state judge.
There are some posts here that are excellent: like Fugu's, Senator Toadstool's, Brandson's, BossAttack's and others.
Your job is not to prove them innocent, but to assure a fair trial is conducted. Indicteds have rights - actually, more the rights, they have constitutional guarantees - that must be followed, otherwise the system and society is failing them.
There are laws against police brutality, evidence faking, illegal tapping, partisan judges/prosecutors/criminal experts/judiciary auxiliaries. There are deadlines to be followed, specially if the defendant is already in jail temporarily or preventively. There are laws that govern the execution of the sentence, things like guaranteeing at least a minimum standard of decency for the inmates and so on.
So even if you're restricting your post to basic criminal defense like raping and murdering and arsoning and so on - and you should not, since there's a bunch of other branches of Law that involve criminals like tax and tribute, environmental protection, child/infancy - there's a decent and honorable job to be done by laywers.
As of me, I love to be a judge and shoot for the usually unattainable goal of seeking pure justice. It's tough, it puts a strain on me and my family for sure, it's hard working , it's with me all the times, but it is very rewarding mentally and financially , not gonna lie.
Anyway, sorry English is not my first language , so I may have said something obviously lost in translation.
There are some posts here that are excellent: like Fugu's, Senator Toadstool's, Brandson's, BossAttack's and others.
Your job is not to prove them innocent, but to assure a fair trial is conducted. Indicteds have rights - actually, more the rights, they have constitutional guarantees - that must be followed, otherwise the system and society is failing them.
There are laws against police brutality, evidence faking, illegal tapping, partisan judges/prosecutors/criminal experts/judiciary auxiliaries. There are deadlines to be followed, specially if the defendant is already in jail temporarily or preventively. There are laws that govern the execution of the sentence, things like guaranteeing at least a minimum standard of decency for the inmates and so on.
So even if you're restricting your post to basic criminal defense like raping and murdering and arsoning and so on - and you should not, since there's a bunch of other branches of Law that involve criminals like tax and tribute, environmental protection, child/infancy - there's a decent and honorable job to be done by laywers.
As of me, I love to be a judge and shoot for the usually unattainable goal of seeking pure justice. It's tough, it puts a strain on me and my family for sure, it's hard working , it's with me all the times, but it is very rewarding mentally and financially , not gonna lie.
Anyway, sorry English is not my first language , so I may have said something obviously lost in translation.
Practicing law is definitely hard work and pressure, no matter what part of the legal field you are in. You are a professional and people rely on your decisions and ability. It's not 24/7 stress, but you need to be on your game most of the time. No one goes into law thinking it's going to be an easy way to make bank.
Some jobs in law are more conservative, but i'm working in my office in jeans and a t-shirt. Based on the comments, people don't realize that legal jobs take many different forms.
We also have a lawyer OT in hangouts if anyone wants to ask questions.
https://www.resetera.com/threads/the-law-school-and-lawyer-era.2930/
No. I don't enjoy the idea of convincing a judge to interpret the law to reach a verdict of my client's defense or accusation. To me the Justice System isn't fair, it's how much money you have to back your research, investigation, and or fabrication of lies to uphold to your client's interest. All while maintaining confidence and willing to risk someone's livelihood in my hands regardless if they are guilty, not guilty, good or bad person.
Lawyer with no interest in criminal law. I just hate going to court. Theres tons of legal jobs out there beyond criminal.
I feel more annoyed when I have to help corporations. But it has given me real insight into corporate America. The tl:rd is that they don't see themselves as bad guys, just people doing their jobs. There is no vast capitalist conspiracy, just corporations that are stuck in their own silo and rarely think beyond their area expertise.
Although one corporation ran its Sales department like a cult. I swear they were one step away from whipping themselves as self-mortification, medieval monk style.
I feel more annoyed when I have to help corporations. But it has given me real insight into corporate America. The tl:rd is that they don't see themselves as bad guys, just people doing their jobs. There is no vast capitalist conspiracy, just corporations that are stuck in their own silo and rarely think beyond their area expertise.
Although one corporation ran its Sales department like a cult. I swear they were one step away from whipping themselves as self-mortification, medieval monk style.
It absolutely is necessary. Every defendant has Constitutional Rights and the State has to prove their case by the book.
For ex: There's a multiple murder case (I forget where) that's making the news, and the defendant has been tried 6x with no Black jurors ever. If he did it, he should burn but at the same time this is a gross and frightening display of racism and a Constitutional violation. I would never defend him but I'm glad someone is.
You aren't missing much. The student debt is stupid lol, there's more lawyers than jobs, and the racism is another silly hurdle. Only good out of it is I met my wife, otherwise I'd go back to my school and plant roach eggs and mice throughout the building every year.
Lol so everything Netflix documentaries says about y'all is true.
Damn son we got judges up in here? Lol. Congrats!
What is your general job title? I want to get out of law within 5 years myself.
It's not nearly that bad at my office, but I know those sorts of offices are still pretty common. I'm lucky in that I'm dealing with DWI/DUI cases, Thefts, Disorderly Conducts, and first-time Domestics. Our cops don't typically behave badly in those situations, and we're rarely looking at jail time. Instead we focus on rehabilition, restitution, and fines/community service.
The moral quandary is more "Is this rehabilitation working?" or "What should we be doing differently?" when there is a new offense. Stuff I didn't need to care about as a defense attorney because the big goal there was doing my best to protect the rights of my client.
I still think the best representation of the flaws and functions most prosecutor offices face is Serial Season 3, Episode 5.
As someone who has had to deal with the DA as a victim of a crime I'd say most ADAs are pretty honorable people and most of the bad DA stuff comes from the top where the DA breeds a horrible culture, mismanaged, or subjects his staff to political pressure
I've met some power-hungry assholes at the low levels in my time too. But, I will say, it's not an easy job, and, given the freedom the job allows in terms of charging, sentencing, and policy-crafting, even the best intentioned prosecutors will still fuck shit up. It's just inevitable right now.
Edit: also I'm glad to hear you've had that experience with your DA. Many offices are still trying to figure out how to get their relationships with their victims right so it's good to know that your office is trying.
Studying Law at uni, and want to practice criminal law. I don't know about you but I believe in innocent until proven guilty.
The one piece of advice I've been given about becoming a lawyer is to not go into criminal law
However, imagine a system where those accused got no representation? Even when it's painfully obvious someone has committed a crime, their defense is critical to ensure we do not have an absolute dogshit system
However, imagine a system where those accused got no representation? Even when it's painfully obvious someone has committed a crime, their defense is critical to ensure we do not have an absolute dogshit system
I'd have a much harder time being a prosecutor/state's attorney staring at someone brought to trial, who I believe in my heart to be completely innocent. How the fuck do you carry out that case?
But yeah that's why I completely wrote off criminal law when I was in like elementary school. I couldn't handle either side of the aisle.
But yeah that's why I completely wrote off criminal law when I was in like elementary school. I couldn't handle either side of the aisle.
Go into a niche solo legal practice (transactional, preferably) like me. Workload isn't very much at all. Live in a developing country and work remotely, and offload student loans to IBR. Profit!
Or leave the field. What's your plan for the next step?
I'm really lucky in that I basically got offered my dream job. It pays a little less but I will work remotely, do what I love after having it be my "side job" for the past seven years, and just cut out so much frigging stress from my life. It's gonna be sweet. I'll miss the high pay a little but I sure as hell won't miss everything else.
That's awesome, man.
I've contemplated trying to go in-house in a game company, but the freedom I have now in solo practice is just too much for me to give up (unless the money is REALLY good, which would be unrealistic to expect).