Courtroom Confusion
By mysticmaggie
@mysticmaggie (2498)
United States
July 13, 2010 1:12pm CST
The United States is looking at giving terrorists their very own lawyers, paid for with our money.
Yet, when I went to court to get guardianship of my husband, who is totally disabled and can no longer handle what few finances we have, the judge appointed an attorney and demanded my husband pay him.
We had to pay two attorneys, one for me and one for him, although Bruce could nod his head and say yes or no to the questions and very adamantly said yes, he wanted me to be his guardian.
The confusion comes when people intent on destroying as many Americans as possible in one shot or many tries if necessary are granted free legal counsel, but an American citizen who does not have the funds for one attorney, much less the two demanded by the court is forced to pay two attorneys. After a year, we finally have the fees paid.
I was more than willing to let my attorney forego working with me and work totally with my husband so there would be no conflict, but the judge refused to allow it.
I do not mind paying our share of anything, and, in fact, prefer it, as I do not want to owe anything to anybody, but I have no wish to pay for the attorneys of terrorists.
Are you for or against paying the terrorists' way through our courts?
1 person likes this
3 responses
@kolsti87 (521)
• United States
14 Jul 10
Well I think giving them lawyers is part of what makes this country better than some barbaric state. Part of the American principal is the fact that no one is guilty until proven so, no matter how abhorrent their actions are. It's in the bill of rights that we get representation. Now the terrorist will most likely be proven guilty and be punished accordingly but if we don't give them lawyers, and apprehend them, shooting them without trial, are we any different than the nations we malign.
@mysticmaggie (2498)
• United States
14 Jul 10
If we give them military trials, which are trials held in a courtroom with a panel of judges, not just one, they are represented and get a fair trail. We do not just shoot, hang, behead, slice off body parts, etc. like other countries. Nor, do we stack the deck in military trials, but they are held on a base and not in the middle of the city, which just might be a bit biased, where they destroyed over 3000 lives.
Military courts are where they belong,not in a dog and pony show in the middle of Manhattan.
If you think a military trial is nothing more than standing them against a wall in front of a firing squad, please get to know our military a bit better. Members of my family were lifer military and never have I found more honest, upstanding people who wanted more than anything else to protect their homeland and help others who needed it.
@kolsti87 (521)
• United States
14 Jul 10
I wasn't connoting that military trials are like shootings. The creator of the post said something like shoot them terrorists or something earlier. I understand what a military trial is, and I do believe that would be best in this situation. I am not insinuating anything bad about the military, I was just responding to the earlier post of "Just shoot em"
@onereverb (4)
• United States
13 Jul 10
I first of all am very sorry about what you and your husband are going through. It is terrible how you two are being treated. I think everyone should have the right to free legal aid if needed. However, I feel that applies to /alleged/ terrorists as well. It sickens me when you say "They should be shot!" when they have not yet been convicted. False accusations exist in terrorism as in any other crime. The entire court system is based on innocent until proven guilty. Why are you different because your skin is not brown? disabled or not, everyone deserves a chance.
@mysticmaggie (2498)
• United States
13 Jul 10
I didn't say they should be shot. That came from another MyLotter, but I do think they should have military trials instead of court trials outside the military. Everyone, and I do mean everyone, should have their day in court, but terrorists, who come from outside the United States, should be tried in military courts. Those who are American citizens are more than welcomed to the American court system, but they should also have to pay their own bills, just as we had to do.
@leenie50 (3992)
• United States
13 Jul 10
Hey Maggie,
I say shoot the damn terrorists!!Something is very very wrong with a government that wants to even consider giving our money to these animals is not working for us!They should be giving that money to all the people that have lost their jobs over the last few years.
I'm more concerned about you and your husband, Is hubby paralyzed? And why do you have to go to court to get custody?
Hugssss
Leenie
@mysticmaggie (2498)
• United States
13 Jul 10
He had a stroke last June and has not recovered at all, so I have to handled all decisions, financial and otherwise. Although I had a Durable Power of Attorney, this state did not recognize it and to get his paycheck moved with us from Florida direct deposit to Pennsylvania direct deposit, I was told I had to have guardianship. The real kicker? I got guardianship and was then told I had to be a Representative Payee instead of Guardian. This is several thousand dollars later.
