Experiences of a Young Criminal Lawyer!

The most common question he faced was whether he needed to believe in his client's innocence.The answer was "No," as it was the lawyer's duty to present the client's case, no matter how unlikely it seemed. In one of his early cases, he learned not to become too attached to his client when a client he firmly believed was innocent was found guilty. Upon being offered sympathy, the client admitted he had been guilty all along. This was a crucial step towards developing a necessary worldly cynicism.

Malcolm Marriott hosts Michael Haynes

Witnesses seldom admitted being wrong, though he quoted one case where a motorist admitted speeding thereby allowing his client to be unexpectedly acquitted. He also had a case where his Client’s finger prints were found inside an old style telephone cash box but was acquitted, although a juror afterwards told him, “Do not do it again.” Clients could generally be divided into bad, sad and sometimes mad. Alcohol often played a large part in offending. For the really bad, such as rapists and child molesters there was not much that could be done. He had not knowingly acted for any real gangsters, though he had done some civil work for John Palmer of Brinks Matte fame. A number of the cases against

him were suddenly settled and he had not liked to ask why that was. A number of clients tried to appear tough like the local pseudo Hells Angels group who called themselves the Billericay Bastards. Apart from a lot of stupid conduct they mainly frightened the elderly lady clients who were waiting to make a will in reception with them.

We had the pleasure of welcoming Abolaji Odunuga the new PR leader for Rotary District 1145, who was warmly received by Jane. Abolaji was very impressed with the club's progress.

We had the pleasure of welcoming Abolaji Odunuga the new PR leader for Rotary District 1145, who was warmly received by Jane. Abolaji was very impressed with the club's progress.

There were more “sad” clients. Defending flashers often cause embarrassment in questioning respectable ladies who had been offended. Sometimes the client behaved so badly that he wished himself elsewhere. One client drank from a hip flask as he staggered into the witness box. Another “lady” denying accusations of using obscene language (which

was very obscene according to the police officer) stoutly denied ever saying any of the naughty words. Unfortunately, after being questioned extensively by the prosecution who suggested frequently that she was not telling the truth, she lost her temper and said angrily “I never xxxxx well lie” Several of the deleted words had been part of the allegations. After that it was difficult to conduct the defence successfully.

The saddest situation was that of a young man who had been in care for most of his life. From about the age of 10, he had finally found a happy life with fosterers and had done well at school. When he was 16, the foster parents’ marriage broke up, and he had to go back into care. He was deemed too old for a children’s home and was found a flat. Unfortunately, he was given little or no guidance and fell into bad company and became involved in some burglaries. Clearly, life had been unkind to him, and he was just too young to be left to fend for himself. All felt that prison would likely turn him into a real criminal. The judge found that he had no option but to imprison him. Michael felt that this was possibly a waste of a useful life and often wondered what had happened to him.

Finally, Michael mentioned the graffiti found on a cell wall, which said “I always wanted to be a judge, but my parents were married.” He hoped that he was an exception to that.