Would you want to be a defense attorney for a terrorist? Please give reasons.
By kgwat70
@kgwat70 (13387)
United States
January 11, 2007 8:39pm CST
Is there anyone that would be the defense attorney for a terrorist? Please tell me why or why not. I know that I would not want to be in that position because I would be afraid of my life if he got convicted and had his friends do something to me. I would not feel safe. How do you feel about this? Would you feel safe?
3 people like this
5 responses
@AdamRobert (59)
• Canada
12 Jan 07
What an excellent question! As a lawyer, I know I've often been asked how I can defend someone I know is guilty to which I just respond that my country's Charter guarantees everyone the opportunity to defend their actions in a court of law, judged by their peers. But you raise a valid point in light Hussein's demise - should I, could I, would I defend him. I have to say that I think my professional training would fail me and I'd have to decline as well.
3 people like this
@kgwat70 (13387)
• United States
12 Jan 07
It would be hard for me to defend someone that kills other people intentionally. I think it would be very stressful to defend a terrorist because of the pressure you may feel from other terrorists or even your peers who may question why you are defending that person. You are right though that everyone does deserve the right to defend themselves in the court of law. Thank you for sharing your legal knowledge and opinion on this matter. I bet that you are a great lawyer.
2 people like this
@AdamRobert (59)
• Canada
12 Jan 07
In all likelihood, it would be your last case. Like you said, your life would almost certainly be in danger to the point that you would end up essentially "exiled" for the remainder of your years. Thanks for raising such a thought-provoking topic.
3 people like this
@brokentia (10389)
• United States
12 Jan 07
I don't know how one would be able to feel safe with whatever the outcome would be. If he is convicted, you could be target for his supporters to take you out. But if he wasn't convicted, those that are against him could also take action against you because they would feel that you had a hand in letting this person off for their horrible crimes.
Hence, I do not think that a defender would be safe period of a terrorist. I would never want to be that defender!!!
3 people like this
@kgwat70 (13387)
• United States
12 Jan 07
It would be a no win situation for the person that defends or actually prosecutes the terrorist either. Even the judge would not be safe. The Hussein situation really brought attention to this situation and makes you wonder what will happen next to the next person involved in the case of a terrorist.
1 person likes this
@margieanneart (26423)
• United States
15 Jan 07
No, I would not want to be a defense attorney for a terrorist, or any other horrible insane killer. The reason being, I would not want to defend him, and maybe get him off free to do it again. I could not live with myself. I rather be the prosecuter.
1 person likes this
@kgwat70 (13387)
• United States
15 Jan 07
I would not even want to be a prosecutor. I would stay away from the case as far as possible to avoid risk. I definitely would not want to defend someone that kills people or makes violent threats toward others. Even if he got off free, there could be people that come after you who are against the terrorist.
@Lydia1901 (16351)
• United States
14 Jan 07
I'm with you there. My safety is more important than anything and terrorist are really merciless people, so I don't want to be the defense attorney for any of them.
@hockeygal4ever (10021)
• United States
15 Jan 07
I'm not sure I could be an attorney all around. I know you're SUPPOSED to be able to take yourself away from the actual case personally and be open minded and realize you're there to win but I know I could not help free someone who I knew was a criminal, especially someone like a terrorist or a killer or such. The funn part is, I used to think that's what I wanted to be when grew up, an attorney. LOL
1 person likes this
@kgwat70 (13387)
• United States
15 Jan 07
I would not make a good attorney either but wonder what people would do in this situation. I know that I could not do it and would rather make a career change then do that. I would have no interest in trying to help a terrorist be free and be able to kill more people.
