What If Scenario
-
In a budget crisis, I'd prioritize cutting the corrections budget first. While public safety is paramount, corrections house inmates who have already served their sentencing purpose. Reallocating those funds could bolster the police force's preventative measures or increase court efficiency to potentially reduce future incarceration needs.
-
This is a serious ethical dilemma. I would accept the retainer, but then explain to the client that I cannot ethically represent someone who admits guilt of first-degree murder. The goal is to provide a strong defense, and that's impossible if the client has confessed. I would advise them to seek a different attorney who could represent them for a plea bargain or explore options based on diminished mental capacity. I would also ethically be obligated to report the confession to the authorities.