|
|
| Lawyers Push for Death Penalty Changes |
| By Associated Press |
| Published: 02/10/2003 |
|
Six years after urging a halt to executions, the American Bar Association is ready to issue states another challenge: fix shoddy defense systems for accused killers. The nation's largest lawyers' group is overhauling 14-year-old standards for capital defense lawyers in the face of criticism from Supreme Court justices and others about the quality of legal representation. The ABA's policy-making board will vote early this week on a plan encouraging states, and in some places counties, that pay for the defenses of poor defendants to update their standards. Some governments follow the 1989 guidelines. Many others have no standards. 'In a lot of states all you need is a bar card,' said Lawrence Marshall, a Northwestern University law professor who spoke Saturday at the ABA's winter meeting in Seattle about 'horror stories' of inept lawyers, including some who slept through parts of capital trials. Among the recommendations are bolstering defense teams to include two lawyers, an investigator, a background specialist, and in some cases an expert to help with jury selection. Supporters contend that changes will help defense teams compete against often better-paid and equipped prosecutors. Critics say cash-strapped states cannot afford to do more. Kent Scheidegger of the pro-death penalty Criminal Justice Legal Foundation said the ABA is pushing extravagant and unnecessary expenses. 'They want to say that if you don't provide the gold standard in defense, then you can't have the death penalty. And that is the real agenda,' he said. The ABA has been criticized by some as being too liberal for taking stands such as its February 1997 recommendation that states put a moratorium on executions because of concerns the punishment was not fair. The guidelines should apply to federal trials, including tribunals, the ABA contends. |
advertise
|
privacy policy
|
add URL
|
about us
|
terms/disclaimer
|
contact us
|
join our team
|
help
Do you know someone who has been arrested in Waco or McLennan County? It’s important to find a good Waco lawyer to represent you in the matter involving your own liberty. Look for the best Waco attorney that you can find. Whether you have been accused rightly or wrongly, it’s important to know your legal rights that concern whether you go to jail.