Civic · 6 pages · 12 min

Why the right to counsel is not the right to a particular outcome

The right to counsel guarantees a lawyer's help in the case, not a win or a chosen sentence.

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From the opening

The right to counsel is a right to the assistance of a lawyer at the stages of a criminal case where that assistance is required. It is not a right to be acquitted, to receive a particular plea offer, or to have a sentence fall below what the law allows. The opening covers counsel assists at required stages, the verdict still follows the proof, and no promised sentence comes with the lawyer.

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Inside

Counsel assists at required stages
The verdict still follows the proof
No promised sentence comes with the lawyer
A loss can still be lawful
Where the idea stops applying
A distinction worth keeping

Sources

Right to counsel
Assistance of counsel

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Why the right to counsel is not the right to a particular outcome

From the opening

Inside

Sources

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