Capital Defense

A very interesting perspective on something that I had not thought of extensively. The death penalty is such a controversial issue, that looking through the eyes of the lawyers involved was interesting.

I never thought how much dedication, passion, effort, and sacrifices capital defense lawyers put on their work until I read this book.

Before I read this, I had an impression that almost if not all capital defense lawyers were motivated by just money and the penchant to protect the alleged criminals because they like to take advantage of the drama to be popular. Little did I know that many are motivated by many other factors I haven’t even considered.

So as I went through the pages of this book, I came to realize that belief in sanctity of life, that the government should not have the right to kill, that alleged offenders are just victims themselves of what is wrong in our society, are just few of the reasons why capital lawyers choose to practice in this area. Some practice capital defense due to the intellectual and the adrenaline rush it gives. In other words capital lawyers find fulfillment in this role. Fulfillment that few can only understand.

This book also discussed how capital work affects the health and well-being of the lawyers. While many experience vicarious trauma others were able to cope. Handling the responsibility of defending the so-called “worst of the worst” of our society can really takes its toll.

This is really an eye opening book. I learned a lot and understand that there are those people who can see something worth fighting for in even the most despised individuals in this world.