Why I do what I do

From public defender blogger The Saucy Vixen on Life:

It’s become tedious to debate whether the presumption of innocence actually exists to most juryfolk (I believe it does not). It’s gotten old pontificating upon the fact that while most people out there can recite the standard of “guilt beyond a reasonable doubt,” prospective jurors still state during voir dire that if a defendant has been arrested, then he must have done something wrong.

But mostly, I’m exhausted from explaining to people that by defending the rights of the indigent, I’m defending the rights of everyone.

And when I explain to the naysayers that by defending the rights of the indigent, my cohorts and I are defending the rights of everyone, I find that this is the only story that ever seems to get my point across.

Introducing ourselves to the jury pool prior to selecting a jury:

Prosecutor: Good morning. I’m Attorney Prosecutor and I represent the people of the State.

Defense Attorney: Hi. I’m Saucy Vixen. I also represent the people of the State. I just happen to have one sitting next to me.

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