Mastro sentencing update

[Kenny Cole]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

Then change the system. Under ours, a criminal defendant has a right to counsel, and counsel has an ethical obligation to represent the defendant zealously within the bounds of the law. There is nothing at all wrong with what Josh does, or what Mastro's lawyers did in this case (unless they misrepresented something).

Peter is absolutely right. Reading what Mastro's attorneys say makes me want to puke too, but that is what their job is. Every criminal defendant has the right to zealous representation, irrespective of how heinous the crime is that they are charged with. Period. End of story. That's the way it works and that's the way it was designed to work by our founders for a multitude of good and sufficient reasons.

Back to the topic at hand, those who are aggrieved by Mastro's actions have the job of writing the judge and informing him why they believe he deserves a harsher penalty than Mastro's attorneys are requesting. I haven't looked at the docket sheet recently, but based on what I've read here, it sure seems like Mastro's lawyers are performing their obligation of zealously representing their client and many of those who feel aggrieved by Mastro's actions are doing, shall I say, a less than stellar job of zealously informing the judge why they think Mastro should get more than the proverbial slap on the wrist. As Jeff has previously indicated, the judge is unlikely to read this web site, so let him know your feelings via letter or quit your bitching.

[buymycards]

[QUOTE=Kenny Cole;1440636]Peter is absolutely right. Reading what Mastro's attorneys say makes me want to puke too, but that is what their job is. Every criminal defendant has the right to zealous representation, irrespective of how heinous the crime is that they are charged with. Period. End of story. That's the way it works and that's the way it was designed to work by our founders for a multitude of good and sufficient reasons.

Unless they are broke. Then their representation isn't quite so zealous.

Sorry, my faith in the legal system is non-existent. End of story.

[Peter_Spaeth]

[QUOTE=buymycards;1440647]

Originally Posted by Kenny Cole

Peter is absolutely right. Reading what Mastro's attorneys say makes me want to puke too, but that is what their job is. Every criminal defendant has the right to zealous representation, irrespective of how heinous the crime is that they are charged with. Period. End of story. That's the way it works and that's the way it was designed to work by our founders for a multitude of good and sufficient reasons.

Unless they are broke. Then their representation isn't quite so zealous.

Sorry, my faith in the legal system is non-existent. End of story.

Jose Baez who represented Casey Anthony never got paid, or in any event is owed a sheetload of money. Did you think he was less than zealous? J.W. Carney who represented Whitey Bulger was not paid by Bulger or his family, but was appointed by the Court and paid out of public funds. Did you think he was less than zealous? What ARE you talking about?

[Kenny Cole]

Originally Posted by buymycards

Unless they are broke. Then their representation isn't quite so zealous.

Sorry, my faith in the legal system is non-existent. End of story.

I guess that you feel as if you had a bad experience. Lots of people feel that way when that happens. Generally, it is deemed to work pretty well by most statistical measures. Juries are generally right is what most studies show. What if you were broke and had to represent yourself? Would that be better?

Obviously, there are some lawyers who are more adept in their area than are others. That's also true for doctors, accountants, plumbers, electricians, ditch diggers, and just about any other job you can name. You pay for what you can afford, but at least you have the opportunity to get a fair shake in front of the trier of fact if you have even a minimally competent lawyer, which most are.

What legal system, in your experience, is better than ours? The middle east? Mexico? Switzerland? If you have no experience with a better legal system, what would you propose? Please provide specifics, because I am very curious about that.

[bcornell]

I hope Josh won't mind if I repeat his (unused) marketing line: "Reasonable Doubt For a Reasonable Fee!".

Anyone arguing that all clients shouldn't get zealous legal representation should take a quick look at The Innocence Project.

Bill