Friday, January 06, 2012

All you get is the least of what you deserve

In Mattox v. State the Kansas Supreme Court reiterated the level of professionalism clients are entitled to under Kansas and U.S. Constitutions. In summation, the lawyer's performance must not fall below the "minimum" standard, and such pitiful performance must not prejudice the defense, in order to claim ineffective assistance of counsel. It seems to me that such a standard is unjust in criminal cases when the defendants are appointed counsel. To paraphrase John Grisham, you get the best defense your money can afford to buy. Shameful.

Copyright © 2012 by Kevin Mark Smith

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