A call to lawyers

A call to lawyers

From Rakyat Merdeka

It is interesting to note the opinion voiced by legal expert
Professor Satjipto Rahardjo. He says that lawyers, mainly those
who counsel defendants in corruption cases, tend to slow down the
process of eradicating corruption. Therefore he has urged lawyers
to be committed to wiping out corruption and not to deflect the
problem, or just follow the money. A lawyer's defense of a client
should be based on conscience. The lawyer should not be a mere
hired gun.

This moral reminder is a sharp criticism from a legal expert
who certainly understands the current trend, where lawyers
exercise their profession in their own interests and look for
personal wealth by defending corruptors, thieves and criminals
who have been caught red-handed violating the law. The excuses
given by these lawyers are classics, i.e. a suspect is entitled
to a defense.

While this is true, w hat about a person who has flagrantly
violated the law? Must he be defended? Likewise, if proof abounds
and the community knows the suspect is guilty, must he still be
defended? This seems especially true if a lot of money is
involved, like in drug cases and corruption amounting to billions
of rupiah. Must such suspects be defended?

Satjipto's observation has much truth in it. Many lawyers only
defend people with money. They are reluctant to come to the
defense of the poor. They have no truck with chicken thieves,
bicycle thieves and the like.

Lawyers should reflect on Satjipto's words. Engage in some
introspection and be honest. If the law is good but the judges
and lawyers are bad, the supremacy of the law is only like the
cry of monkeys in the jungle.

SASMIATI

Jakarta