A Conservative Republican Criminal Defense Attorney?!?

I know. It's true. It's hard to believe, but yes, I am in fact a conservative Republican criminal defense attorney. No, that is not an oxymoron. This comes up for two reasons. First, the other day I had a client in my office and we were discussing his case when he noticed something sitting on a table that was from the Republican Party. He got a look on his face that pretty clearly indicated he was no longer interested in discussing his case, but rather he would like to know how a criminal defense attorney could be a Republican. After a short conversation, I explained how I am the real life version of Alex P. Keeton. Republican since birth. God bless Ronald Reagan and John Wayne.

The other reason it comes up is because I was reading Malum In Se and ran across a post about how he was not against the death penalty, even though he is a criminal defense attorney. I agree. I know this ruffles a lot of feathers out there in the defense world. There seems to be an expectation that if you are a defense attorney, you must also be for the legalization of drugs, or against sex offender registration, or anti-death penalty. That's just not me. Does it make me any less of a criminal defense attorney. No.

Keep in mind, if a client of mine is charged with a drug offense or failing to register as a sex offender or capital murder, I will be right there fighting the government all the way with all the vigor and zealousness that you could hope for. It's what I do. After all, I'm in this for the fight, not the ideological principles involved. In fact, when I am defending those accused I do so just as well, and sometimes better, than the local liberal mouthpieces that often cry foul when the government tries to prosecute a drug deal or child sex offender. The point is, I don't think you have to be for the legalization of drugs to successfully defend a drug case. What you need is a lawyer who is skilled enough to do the job. Never once have I had a client for whom I had evidence suppressed complain that I wasn't a liberal anarchist (ok, maybe that was over-the-top...maybe).

Comments

[Robert Guest]

I was a Republican. But I no longer believe in victimless crime enforcement.

As for drug legalization, that is a scary phrase for most Americans. I think we need to treat pot like booze and find alternative suppliers for harder drugs.

[Scott Greenfield]

A "liberal anarchist?" No bias showing in that oxymoron, right?

So how do you come to believe that mandatory minimums are good for society? Or why do you like the sentencing guidelines, making crack 100 times worse than powdered cocaine? How do you square the death penalty with those on death row subsequently proven innocent?

You're entitled to your poticial belief. But loving Ronnie Reagan just isn't a good enough reason. So now that you're out of the closent, let us know how you come by your politics.

SHG