Over the years, the practice of law has been left to the regime of a group of people commonly referred to as lawyers. Though the term may vary from place to place or jurisdiction, the same has a general meaning to refer to those who have studied law. Further it is left to the jurisdiction’s discretion to determine how they are to grant one the status of being a lawyer either through education, certification amongst other means that different jurisdictions apply to afford such a status.
In the provision of their services, over the years, the lawyers have come to appreciate the fact that some of their potential clients lack the capacity to pay for those services. This has led to a rise of what is termed as pro bono services. These services are offered professionally without a fee. Safe for pro bono services where the accused is incapacitated to raise legal fees, he or she can plea to the court to provide offer pauper briefs. In this scenario, the court exempts the applicant, once proved to be a pauper from court fees.
Over the years, debate has been waged with reference to the provision of pro bono services. Such debates have raged on with reference as to whether the services should be offered or not. Arguments have also been waged with reference of where the services are to be offered and the criteria that should be used to determine the same. However, the arguments have generally been for and against the provision of the same.
The provision of pro bono service according to those who argue in its favor view is a source and means of offering justice to the economically disadvantaged. They argue that by having advocates offer pro bono services, the unfortunate members of the society have a chance of having justice manifeste...
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...e corporate responsibility that is demanded of corporations to the community it deems to operate in.
Reflection
All that needs to be said having been done so to stress the importance of pro bono services would be understating it. There is need to not only support its implementation by word of mouth but also through funding. Class actions, legal clinics, advertisements are just some of the ways that the same can be revamped in an effort to ensure the continuity and the serving of justice to the entire society.
Works Cited
Daniel, Lowenstein, and Waggoner Michael. "Neighborhood Law Offices: The New Wave In Legal Services For The Poor." Harvard Law Review 80.4 (Academic Search Premier, 1967): 805. EBSCO. Web. 19 May 2011.
Pound, Roscoe. "Justice And The Poor." Harvard Law Review 33.4 (Academic Search Premier. EBSCO, 1920): 621-626. Web. 19 May 2011.
A plea bargain is compliance between a prosecutor and defendant in which the accused offender agrees to plead guilty in return for some compromise from the prosecutor. The New Jim Crow, explains how most Americans have no clue on how common it is for people to be prosecuted without proper legal representation and are sentenced to jail when innocent out of fear. Tens of thousands of poor people go to jail every year without ever talking to a lawyer that could possibly help them. Over four decades ago, the American Supreme Court ruled that low-income people who are accused of serious crimes are entitled to council, but thousands of people are processed through America’s courts annually with a low resource lawyer, or no lawyer at all. Sometimes
Reiman, Jeffrey. The Rich Get Richer and the Poor Get Prison, Sixth Edition. Boston: Allyn and Bacon, 2001.
...on the homeless community. I previously held preconceived notions that the homeless consisted of people who were either unable to connect and form relationships with others or didn’t desire to do so. Yet, I observed most everyone greeting one another and reminiscing with those who have been absent from the community for a while, as well as, expressing concern for those missing. I recognized that the homeless may live in a non-traditional way, but they have established their own communities and are successful in forming and maintaining cohesive relationships.
Sellin, Thorsten. "Race Prejudice in the Administration of Justice." American Journal of Sociology 41.2 (1935): 212. Print.
This paper will evaluate and analyze an ethical dilemma that was presented in the textbook and the Case Study #1 that will be evaluated for this assignment. The questions that will be answered include what are the ethical dilemmas in the case and are these legitimate concerns for the social worker. In addition, when evaluating and analyzing the ethical dilemma in this case study it is necessary to look at why the social worker is worried about reporting newborns and why she feels that there are injustices and discrimination that come from these policies. Furthermore, as a social worker in this agency I would respond by figuring out what could be done in this situation and what courses of action could be done to change the injustices in the
6. Neubauer, D.W. (2002). America’s Courts and the Criminal Justice System. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth: Thomson Learning.
Paralegals have become an essential part of today's legal system, and as the profession becomes one of the leading and fastest growing occupations in the U.S. economy; these individuals perform delegated tasks under the supervision of attorneys. Education has played an important part on this matter; it has facilitated this development by allowing lawyers to use these skills professionals as agents to delegate specific tasks such as legal research, gathering of information and the drafting of specific legal documents under the supervision and final approval of their principals. This has been very significant because now; we can enjoy a speedy process in a cumbersome legal system. From en economic standpoint, it has also been beneficial by decreasing the substantial amount of the legal cost a firm could incur if only lawyers were allowed to perform this kind work.
Rawls, J. (1999). A Theory of Justice (Rev. ed.). Cambridge, Mass: Belknap Press of Harvard University Press.
Remy, Richard C., Gary E. Clayton, and John J. Patrick. "Supreme Court Cases." Civics Today. Columbus, Ohio: Glencoe, 2008. 796. Print.
Historically, the right to counsel was only guaranteed in federal criminal court (Wice, 2005). A person charged with a crime in the state court did not have the right to legal representation. Law scholar Professor Mason Beaney explained this by saying, “only a few states guaranteed the right to appointed counsel…In most jurisdictions counsel was appointed in none but the most serious cases, often only when the crime was punishable by death” (Wice, 2005, p. 3). Many defendants, who were poor, illiterate, and uneducated had to face the justice system without legal assistance (Smith, 2004, p. 579). Los Angeles County started one of the first public defender programs in 1914, spreading slowly to other counties (Neubauer & Fradella, 2011, p. 176). By the 1960’s, less than a dozen states still refused to provide attorneys to defendants unable to afford one (Smith, 2004).
Preceding the Manhattan Criminal Court engraved is the quote “Equal and exact justice for all men of whatever state or persuasion” which supposed to extend to my family. Unfortunately, indigent minority neighborhoods have a false view of the extent and meaning of Constitutional protections, so we were helpless. The quote rang hollow to me because it did not extend to us. A wide gap exists in ethnicity between the individuals in conflict with the court of law and the individuals chosen to represent them in the court of law. This highlights the connection between criminal justice and crime with economic inequality. My family could not afford a lawyer furthermore; the case resulted in a dismissal. Without proper representation the case faltered, evidence overlooked, suspects not interviewed, and the crime scene jeopardized. The need for individuals to understand their rights is important. Adequate education allows individuals to understand their rights, which is necessary for success and society must present such opportunity. My goal of becoming a social advocate is to contribute in the lives of my Brooklyn’s community. As well, as stem the growing tide of injustice and ...
During week two, we discussed the history of social work. It was interesting to learn about the different organized which took place then, and some still occur. The “Charity Organization Society viewed poor as dysfunctional within a well functioning society” (Akesson, B. 2015). Specifically, what I found irrational, yet interesting was whom people of these organizations found “deserving” and “undeserving” poor, because I have also viewed those in poverty as “deserving” of help, no matter the circumstances. I believe you can’t characterize someone as deserving or undeserving based on their social status, and characteristics. Everyone has should have a chance at improving their well being whether they are a single parent, drug addict, struggling with disability and so on. If someone is striving to repair damages, and gain assistance they shouldn’t be stigmatized or judged to do so otherwise. Everyone has a story behind their faults, which should be recognized and counseled in order to solve the issue regarding
I was told that my desire to enter the field of public interest would wane after my first year of community service. On the contrary, the realization of the power which a lawyer possesses has reinforced my desire to enter this arena. An advocate's work can have far reaching consequences. This is clearly true in public interest law, where the purpose is not simply to correct a wrong done in the past between two parties, but to alter the disparate treatment of an often under-represented class.
The English legal system is ostensibly embedded on a foundation of a ‘high degree of certainty with adaptability’ based on a steady ‘mode’ of legal reasoning. This rests on four propositions
To show benevolence towards another is to exert an act of kindness. This act of kindness is shaped by consideration and compassion, without the intention of receiving anything in return. These individuals who express benevolence are cogitated as philanthropists and volunteers, who are responsible for giving their efforts to assist the lives’ of others who cannot benefit themselves. There is no dispute that there can be enough volunteers because populaces will forever need assistance, whether it is in regards to moral support or hunger. It is vital for individuals to dedicate their time to volunteering internationally due to the extreme difference in poverty levels, lack of governmental aid in foreign countries, and personal advancement in cultural