Subscribe to thawilsonMAG for Only .25 cents

WilsonBlock1000 Radio

Deputy Public Defender Marcus Huntley #207357 Predetermines Interests of Defendants

by Mistah Wilson -

Source:

Context

Defendant Michael Taylor sought clarity regarding his legal representation during a visit to the Public Defender's main office in downtown Los Angeles. In conversation with Deputy Public Defender Mr. Marcus Huntley #207357, Taylor uncovered a concerning aspect of legal practice. Mr. Huntley acknowledged that public defenders possess discretion in making strategic decisions in their clients' cases, even if those decisions diverge from the client's preferred defense strategy. Taylor argued that such decisions lack true strategic value if they result in subsequent violations of the client's constitutional rights. This dialogue highlights potential systemic issues within the Los Angeles County Public Defender's office, suggesting a need for scrutiny regarding the protection of defendants' rights.


Examination of Discussion

Yes, it is fair to say that the strategic decisions made by public defenders are not truly "strategic" if they naturally lead to or result in subsequent violations of their client's constitutional rights. The core fiduciary duty of a public defender is to act in the best interest of their client, ensuring that the client's constitutional rights are protected throughout the legal process. When a decision compromises these rights, it fundamentally undermines the defender's role and obligations. 

1. Fiduciary Duty: Public defenders have a fiduciary duty to their clients, which includes the obligation to provide competent and diligent representation. This duty encompasses ensuring that the client's constitutional rights are upheld at all times. Any strategic decision that leads to the violation of these rights would be a breach of this duty.

2. Constitutional Rights: The Sixth Amendment guarantees the right to effective assistance of counsel. Public defenders must ensure that their actions and decisions do not infringe upon this right. If a decision results in the violation of the client's constitutional rights, it cannot be considered a sound or lawful strategy.

3. Ethical Standards: According to the American Bar Association's Model Rules of Professional Conduct, lawyers must avoid conflicts of interest and must not engage in conduct that is prejudicial to the administration of justice. Making decisions that violate a client's constitutional rights directly contravenes these ethical standards.

4. Impact on Case Outcome: Violations of constitutional rights can lead to significant negative outcomes for the client, including wrongful convictions, unfair trials, or unjust sentences. A decision leading to such outcomes cannot be deemed strategic because it fails to protect the client's fundamental legal interests.

5. Judicial Oversight: Courts have a responsibility to ensure that defendants receive fair trials. If a public defender's decision leads to a violation of constitutional rights, it may also attract judicial scrutiny and potentially result in the reversal of convictions or other legal remedies, further indicating that such decisions are not strategic.

Strategic decisions made by public defenders must always align with the duty to protect and uphold their client's constitutional rights. Decisions that result in the violation of these rights are inherently flawed and cannot be considered strategic. Upholding constitutional protections is essential for maintaining the integrity of the legal system and ensuring justice for all defendants.
Location: Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center, 210 W Temple St, Los Angeles, CA 90012, USA

Comments

Post a Comment

Streets

103rd street 108th Street 109th Street 111th Street 14th street 16th avenue 1st Street 1st avenue 216th Street 222th Street
23rd Avenue 23rd Avenue South 2nd avenue 4th avenue plaza 50th Street 5th Street Acacia Avenue Alhambra Road Alki Avenue Southwest Alondra Boulevard Alvarado Street Andover Street Andover Street & Rainier Avenue Antwerp Street Arizona Avenue Aurora Avenue Azusa Avenue Baldwin Avenue Baseline Road Bell Street Berkshire Avenue Blackstone Road Brand Boulevard Broadway Broadway & Harrison Street Broadway & Thomas Street Burbank Boulevard California Avenue California Avenue SW California Boulevard Carson Street Catalina Avenue Cedros Avenue Central Avenue Charles Street Charlestown Street Charleville Boulevard Chestnut Street Claremont Boulevard Cloverdale Street Crenshaw Boulevard Cypress Street Dakota Street Dearborn Street Del Amo Boulevard Denker Avenue Denver Avenue Devonshire Street Donna Marie Lane East Boulevard El Bonito Avenue El Molino Avenue El Sereno Avenue Elevado Avenue Elk Avenue Figueroa Street Florence Avenue Foothill Boulevard Fremont Avenue Gains Mill Street Gardena Avenue Gardena Boulevard Garey Avenue Garvey Avenue Genesee Street Glendale Boulevard Graham Street Grandee Avenue Green Lane Greenwood Avenue Harrison Street Harvard Street Helms Avenue Henderson Street Hollyglen Lane Holt Avenue Honolulu Avenue Hoover Street Indian Hill Boulevard Inglewood Boulevard Ivy Avenue John Street Juneau Street Kenwood Street La Cañada Boulevard Lake Avenue Lake Wash Boulevard Lavender Lane Lincoln Avenue Lodi Creek Road Lomita Boulevard Long Beach Boulevard Los Arboles Lane Los Robles Avenue Louise Street Lower Azusa Road Madison Street Magnolia Avenue Malachite Avenue Manhattan Beach Boulevard Marengo Avenue Mariposa Street Mission Street Monterey Road Mountain Street Myrtle Avenue Oakland Avenue Old Mill Road Orcas Street Parthenia Street Phinney Avenue Pine Street Rainier Avenue Redondo Beach Boulevard Reseda Boulevard Rev. Dr. S. McKinney Avenue Rio Hondo Avenue Rosecrans Avenue Rosemead Boulevard Roy Street & Broadway SW Alaska Street San Dimas Avenue San Dimas Canyon Road San Gabriel Boulevard Santa Monica Boulevard Seattle Boulevard Seattle Street Sepulveda Boulevard Seward Park Avenue Silverlake Boulevard Slauson Avenue Spring Street & Western Avenue Stanford Street Sunset Boulevard Temple City Boulevard Thistle Street Torrance Boulevard Tremont Street Tyler Avenue Valley Boulevard Vicksburg Avenue Vista Del Valle Road Wardlow Road Washington Boulevard Waverly Road Weller Street West Haven Road Wilson Avenue alameda street alamitos avenue alpine street anaheim street arden road arroyo parkway beacon avenue south belvidere street boren avenue broadway court cahuenga boulevard centinela avenue chester avenue claremont street coco avenue colorado boulevard colorado street bridge columbia street conceptual street sign photography cordova street euclid avenue fair oaks avenue foothill street garfield avenue green street herbert street holliston avenue holly street howard street hudson avenue iowa avenue jackson street jefferson street la brea avenue la rosa road lemon avenue linden boulevard locust street madison avenue malibu colony road mar vista avenue mentor avenue michigan avenue olvera street orange grove boulevard venice blvd ventura blvd virginia street
Show more