How lawyers deal with defending 'criminals' and public criticism
On 'be kind to a lawyer day,' lawyers say they could do with some kindness.
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John Perlman speaks to lawyers, Ulrich Roux and Benedict Phiri about the nature of their jobs, and how they separate their conscience form certain cases.
"Be Kind to a Lawyer Day" is celebrated on the second Tuesday in April every year.
The day is observed as an annual dedication and appreciation for lawyers and their craft.
But the most interesting question about this career path is that most lawyers face public criticism for defending criminals, says Perlman.
Phiri agrees saying that the profession is often "misunderstood".
"It's not always as simple as putting what your client says you must put, it's got to make sense within the context of what needs to be achieved and what's achievable within the law and using that as a framework as a whole. So, in this context, we have a lot of difficult conversations with clients and some of those don't always draw the most favourable response and so I think we do need a little bit of kindness now and then."
- Benedict Phiri, Lawyer
Meanwhile, Roux explains how lawyers might deal with defending criminals.
When lawyers represent a client, regardless of the facts and circumstances of the case, the client is entitled to a fair and just defence and legal representation, adds Roux.
"Everyone is entitled to proper legal assistance and you, as an attorney, have a duty to represent your client to the best of your ability and to advise your client in accordance with what his or her remedies are as they are enshrined in our case law."
- Ulrich Roux, Lawyer
However, Roux admits that lawyers "face alot of criticism pertaining to the people we represent."
"Whether there's a public perception of a person's guilt, that guilt must still be proven beyond a reasonable doubt and that is contained in our law. We always act on instructions, we never act of our own accord and we are there to advise our clients properly and represent them as best we can within the confines of the law."
- Ulrich Roux, Lawyer
Roux says that the greatest job satisfactions he has as a lawyer "is to help people".
Both Roux and Phiri agree that everyday should be, 'be kind to a lawyer day.'