Tuesday, February 12, 2008

Ministers of Justice?

There is one fundamental difference between Prosecutors and Defense Attorneys... defense attorneys are supposed to do everything they can short of illegal to protect their client. A prosecutor is simply supposed to seek justice and in theory is not trying to "win". If you look up just about any prosecutor's website, you will see them quote case law and refer to themselves as "ministers of justice". what a load of crap. Most PA offices foster an environment of win at all costs, justice be damned. All new prosecutors are taught early on that the way to advance in the office is to be an ass, bend the rules and get scalps on the wall. They will flat out lie about whether or not witnesses are present and willing to testify. And god help the poor domestic violence witness who does not want to send her spouse/significant other to jail. the state will lie to her, bully her, threaten her with arrest and prosecution and sick DFS on them to take the kids... and for what? justice? more like their own egos is more like it. I also like subpoenas.. when the state sends a subpoena to a witness in the mail, it is NOT valid service. If a person chooses not to appear on a mailed subpoena, nothing can be done to them because it cannot be proven to a judge that the person actually received it. But guess what happens when that same witness calls the PA's office and inquires if they really need to appear. The State will lie to them about the law and tell them if they do not appear, they will be arrested. If I did, such a thing I would probably be disbarred.