I have always considered it an honor to defend people  accused of crimes.  The power of the government to destroy a person's life by making false and unsubstantiated charges is truly horrible.  In a truly just society people would be able to defend themselves against such claims.  The reality is that a person thrown into the criminal justice system needs the help of a lawyer who has dedicated his life to defending people.

It takes a strong and intelligent attorney to successfully protect his client fully.  It is vital that a defense attorney believe in his client and fight to the full extent to the law.  Sometimes this means a jury trial and sometimes this means a negotiated disposition; but there is never an excuse for doing only half a job when defending a person's life and liberty.