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