When you think back to your childhood and what you wanted to be as a child, most people recall having several options or being able to make up their minds. I, however, was not one of those children. For as long as I can remember, I have wanted to be an attorney. When I think of the word attorney or lawyer I think immediately of a courtroom. I picture a large room, full of people waiting for a nail-biting verdict. I picture a judge, high above those around him, making the room silent with a single look. I see a jury of ordinary people, peers to those in question of breaking the laws set up to keep the peace between everyone in this world around us; coming together as one united force to help make a difference in their society. I see the defendant, dressed nicely to help prove a plea of innocence, anxiously waiting to see what their future holds. Finally, I see the two stars of the entire scene, standing with such dignity and honor, holding the attention of all those around them while they play the game of the law, feuding back and forth; the prosecution and defense attorneys. I picture them both with notes in hand and knowledge in their minds, battling for the win on this crazy argument. While that scene was what I always pictured as a child, and a small part of me still hopes the scene will hold true, I have decided to choose the field of criminal law for more practical reasons. When you see a lawyer in a court room, it appears as if there is almost an immediate respect
Did you know that at present, there is only one lawyer for every 247 Americans in the Unites States? A lawyer is “a person trained in the legal profession who acts for and advises clients or pleads in court” (Webster’s Dictionary and Thesaurus). According to about careers, there are many different types of lawyers, among the top five highest paying legal professionals around the globe are trial lawyers. The first lawyers, also known as the “Gilded Lawyers” arranged the United Auto Workers (UAW) and the Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO) in the early 1930s (“National Lawyers Guild). The actions the Gilded Lawyers made gave them useful experience for defending the rights given to us by the First Amendment and suffused the work of the business in later years. Today, trial lawyers must meet specific job requirements and qualifications such as working under stressful conditions for long periods of time, making a profitable salary, and keeping up with the ever changing future needs for the career.
The American Criminal Justice System are sets of agencies and process made by the government to control crime and to penalize those who commit it. The justice system is different based one’s jurisdiction, meaning city, state, federal or tribal government or military installation. The Criminal System is divided into two main parts, the state and the federal. The state portion handles crimes within its state boundaries. The federal portion handles crime committed on Federal property or in two or more states (“Criminal Justice” 1). The American Criminal Justice System needs reform because of its emphasizes on incarceration punishment rather than Rehabilitation. Our justice system especially enforces punishment on blacks and Latinos resulting of overpopulation of prisons like Rikers Island for petty crimes. Also, another reform needed the juvenile cases. For example, juveniles who commit petty crimes shouldn’t be sent to adult prison and shouldn’t be near more dangerous and serious inmates.
The prison is a system that is a touchy subject. Half of people think it is fine and the other half see a need for major change. The system has been mostly the same for years now and people think that it is about time to change something due to reincarceration rates and how prisoners are treated. Gang creation among races is a large problem for inmates when they are released and head back into society. I chose this topic because I have noticed that criminals who go into the prison system are never really a better person but likely will end up back in the pen.
In “The Adversary Judge” Frankel explains how realities of the trial create a “role conflict” between the ideally constructed impartial judge and the realistic adversary judge (Frankel, 1976). Throughout their day people play many roles, these roles are based on the expectations of the people around them and the personality of the person (Frankel, 1976). In particular, judges are expected to play the role of neutrality, intelligence, and patience. Their role is thought to be similar of an “umpire” (Frankel, 1976). It is necessary for them to be objective in order for a just and fair trial to take place. Yet, this ideal role does not occur under the pressure of realities. One reality that pushes away the idea of an “umpire” judge is the heated emotions that occur throughout the trial process. Frankel states” the courtroom explodes as people spring up at several tables shouting objections, usually loudly because they are in some haste and heat to cut off forbidden answers” (Frankel, 1976, p. 472). The attorney’s main goals throughout the trail is to ensure a win for their client leading to competitiveness between both parties. Attorneys do not want to hear they are wrong and always need to be one step ahead of their competitors. This causes the commotion and tense emotions that is usually seen in courts.
I never wanted to be a lawyer. All my life I have had one passion – a passion so fervent and ingrained in my entire being that I never considered doing anything else. For as long as I can remember, I have loved nothing more than the written
Unfortunately, law is not like that anymore - if it ever was - and today's attorneys must juggle a number of different responsibilities all at once. They must act as marketers to attract new
Here I was, attempting to get my own life figured out, while my father’s life was figured out for him. I have had many encounters with the law, whether they were bad encounters, like when my aunt, who was addicted to crystal meth and heroine, lost her child to the State of Arizona, or good encounters, like when my mom adopted that same child, who then became my loving younger brother. Maybe these encounters with the law are a part of what drives me to go to law school; although I am interested in entertainment law, it is empowering to know that I will be able to make a difference, to hopefully allow for some real change, as hopeful as that sounds. I will be able to learn the inner workings of
Envision if everyone in the world decided to go around breaking laws because they did not agree with them. There would be a bunch of unnecessary arrests, great amount of violence, and the world would be a terrible place to live. As citizens of this country we have the commitment to adhere to the rules, laws, and submit to any consequences we may receive. In the great words of Socrates, “One should never do wrong in return, nor do any man harm, no matter what he may have done to you.” Breaking laws is never morally justifiable.
Many people would probably say that if they saw an injured person, they would stop to help them. When put in the situation, however, would they actually stop? The United States of America does not require that pedestrians, who are not involved, help the ones who are. This is no excuse not to help, though. Even helping in just a small way could save a life.
Dr. Seuss addresses various social issues through his children’s books. Horton Hears a Who, published in 1954, targets discrimination against minorities. The Sneetches, published in 1961, takes aim at racism. In the story, Plain-Belly Sneetches are discriminated against because they lack a star, which signifies higher social status in their Sneetch community. Unfortunately, Seuss’ children’s story parallels contemporary society. Recently, children in the United States have experienced horrible mistreatment by law enforcement. In order to subdue misbehaving elementary school students, campus security guards and the police, who tend to be white in most cases, resort to extreme measures like handcuffs. Disabled African American children are often subjected to such abuse. They receive more severe, traumatizing punishments based on their skin color; they do cause disturbances and should face the consequences of their actions, but such force should not be used. Although these children can and should be handled in a less humiliating fashion, law enforcement accepts criminal punishments as a reasonable way to restrain African American children because their skin color makes them less than human and a greater threat.
release and states that they should be encouraged and provided assistance to maintain and establish relationships outside of the prison atmosphere to promote the prisoner’s rehabilitation and best interests of his or her family. In PA prisons they are removing programs from fathers that used to be beneficial. The prisons had a program called read to me its where a father is recorded reading a book to the child on a cd and able to mail it with the book home and it was removed. To follow this and adopt it would be great it may cut down on our younger generation becoming incarcerated so young. It may deterred the child from having the idea of a absent parent as out of sight out of mind. To maintain and establish family ties in prison can even cut back on some of the stressors that a inmate face. The support from a outside family at times is a tremendous help or even greater discharge plan strategy. Furthermore Rule 108, Services and agencies, governmental or otherwise, which assist released prisoners in re-establishing themselves in society shall ensure, so far as is possible and necessary, that released prisoners are provided with appropriate documents and identification papers, have suitable and adequately clothed having in regard to the work to go, are suitably and adequately clothed having regard to the climate and season and have sufficient means to reach their destination and maintain themselves in the period immediately following their release. I’m going to say within
Imagine you are a teen walking down the street with a friend. Now imagine being surrounded by police and getting searched for something that is not there. Since the item in question can not be placed the accuser changes their story; After multiple versions of what allegedly happened the police arrest you and your friend. Due to having a history of theft, a judge charges you with second degree robbery, even though there is no evidence to prove any wrong doing. Thinking the justice system will come through, and knowing your innocence, a trial is requested. Bail is set and cannot be paid due to economic hardship. Another consequence of not having money for bail, is there is also no money for a private attorney. A public defender, who has to many cases to keep straight, is assigned to help defend in court, yet he is trying to lessen his load and recommends several times that a plea deal is the best option that should be taken, even in the case of innocence. Picture holding out hope that if the case could just go to trial all would come to light. Four years pass by, mostly spent in solitary confinement, where the harsh circumstances begin to take a toll, mentally and physically. Imagine conditions so horrible, death seems better than enduring another day. Now picture the day for “justice” is finally here. No sooner does court get started it ends. The case gets thrown out due to the person who started all of this not being present. All the suffering that has been endured,
“Witness for the Prosecution” superbly demonstrated a realist view of the operating procedures in a courtroom. The actors within the courtroom were easy to identify, and the steps transitioned smoothly from the arrest to the reading of the verdict. The murder trial of Leonard Vole provided realistic insight into how laws on the books are used in courtroom proceedings. With the inferior elements noted, the superior element of the court system in “Witness
‘What kind of lawyer do I want to be’ is a very wide question open to a whole range of interpretations. Choosing to study Law at university almost certainly means becoming either a barrister or a solicitor will be the route to follow, but this choice as well as deciding whether to practice civil or criminal law is one which requires substantial thought. Having carried out work experience at my local Crown Court, and visited the Exeter Crown Court, it has impacted how I see my future. Additionally, my independent research coupled with seminar tasks in negotiation and advocacy have also helped to shape my decision. These experiences have brought to my attention a range of ethical concerns within the courtroom, however there are two issues in particular that have stood out. The first being cross-examination of vulnerable witnesses and defendants, for example, the elderly, rape victims, and children, and the second issue being legal aid and its impact. Learning about legal aid within the legal foundations course has opened my eyes to the struggle of the ‘ordinary person’ unable to obtain legal advice, and the significant, increasing divide between city firms advising corporate clients and the ‘high street firm’ advising the everyday citizen. Both of these issues have impacted on how I see my future as a lawyer.
Lawyers are often portrayed as invidious, rigid, and odious in media, as well attract an uneasy feeling in most individuals when brought up in conversation. Frequently they are at the punchline of jokes insulting their quirks. The obvious question is why would anyone want to be an attorney? In my case, I get a lot of influence from my mother who was a lawyer for twenty years. I was very proud to tell people my mom was a practicing attorney, even more so today knowing she often defended those that were unable to pay for alternative council. Another reason is I enjoy history, even when it is upsetting to learn about. My reasoning is it gives me perspective on my own life, as well as giving me hope that through this new perspective I can reflect and make a positive impact on lives including my own. I look at cases like Brown v. Board of Education and it inspires me that perhaps I could make a difference on society through the courtroom. Lastly although I may not illustrate in my classroom demeanor that I enjoy speaking in public, but when prepared I enjoy the feeling of attempting to captivate others from my speech to bend them or lean them towards my way of thinking. This isn’t to say I am incapable of breaking away from opinions I have formed over the years quite the contrary, I learn the most when I listen to others speak.