Appointed attorneys face client distrust because they belong to the prosecuting system’s world

Evidence

Implicit in our discussion of continuances is the fact that many indigent clients doubt that their attorneys are working hard on their cases. Because the attorney was court-appointed or provided by a public defense or legal aid organization, there is distrust that the attorney is actually working on behalf of the client. In addition, from the client’s perspective, the attorney seems to emerge from the same system that produces prosecutors and judges. While these optics are hard to overcome, there is a basic strategy for improving the relationship. The attorney must listen to the client. This means listening to the client’s concerns, communicating openly with him or her, and making sure to follow through on any promises made regarding the representation. — Joseph Avery, Jim Sidanius, Joel Cooper, Gregory Davis, Amanda N., Bias in the Law, 693 (#expands, via linked claim)

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: Working relationships with prosecutors can co-opt defense attorneys into the system. — G. Alan Tarr, Judicial Process and Judicial…, 1818; A dissatisfied defendant who distrusts counsel criminally exposes himself; Indigent clients distrust appointed defense counsel for being part of the prosecutorial system — Joseph Avery, Jim Sidanius, Joel Cooper, Gregory Davis, Amanda N., Bias in the Law: A Definitive Look at…, 693 (+3 more)

Broader Connections

• Indigent clients distrust appointed defense counsel for being part of the prosecutorial system #expands (0.97) — Joseph Avery, Jim Sidanius, Joel Cooper, Gregory Davis, Amanda N., Bias in the Law, 693