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Right To Lasnik Case

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Right To Lasnik Case
The Right to an Attorney Who Actually Does His Job

The public defense systems of two towns near Seattle, Washington were found to be so in adequate that they violate the sixth amendment right to the assistance of counsel in criminal prosecutions. U.S. District Judge Robert Lasnik condemned the cities of Mount Vernon and Burlington, Washington for failing to provide meaningful representation to indigent defendants facing misdemeanor charges. A class-action suit against the cities, brought by the American Civil Liberties Union's Washington affiliate and private citizens went to trial in June. Inadequate representation is not an isolated issue that only exists in Washington state. Attorney General Eric Holder continues to bring attention to the …show more content…
Our justice system is one of the things I admire most about american government. The sixth amendment ensures American citizens in all criminal prosecutions the right to a speedy and public trial, the right to trial by jury, and the right to legal counsel. Without the sixth amendment our justice system would not be very just because those accused of a crime would not have sufficient legal protection. this would impact my life and the lives of all Americans.

If I was ever accused of a crime without the protection of the sixth amendment I wouldn't be guaranteed a speedy trial. This could lead to great anxiety for the defendant for a prolonged period of time. Also, the longer the trial is postponed the more likely it is that evidence will be lost or destroyed and that memories will fade away. Without the sixth amendment I wouldn't have the right to a public trial. Public criminal proceedings sometimes operate as a check against malevolent prosecutions, corrupt judges, and false witnesses. Not having a public trial would deny me these benefits. Also the defendant's friends and relatives wouldn't be guaranteed permission to attend the
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