NCJ Number
17004
Date Published
1973
Length
54 pages
Annotation
RESULTS AND ANALYSIS OF THE RESPONSES OF 239 PRACTICING ATTORNEYS TO A QUESTIONNAIRE CONCERNING THE NATURE AND CORRELATES OF THEIR ATTITUDES AND BEHAVIORS TOWARD INDIGENT AND UNPOPULAR CLIENTS.
Abstract
THE RESEARCHERS FOUND A HIGH PERCENTAGE OF LAWYERS AGREED THAT LAWYERS SHOULD BE ENCOURAGED TO REPRESENT BOTH UNPOPULAR AND INDIGENT CLIENTS. THE SURVEY ALSO ELICITED RESPONSES TO THE DESIRABILITY OF DIFFERENT WAYS OF REPRESENTING THE POOR IN CRIMINAL AND CIVIL CASES, LEAST FAVORED OF WHICH WERE UNPAID VOLUNTEER AND UNPAID ASSIGNED COUNSEL. THE AUTHORS' ANALYSIS INCLUDES SUCH FACTORS AS LAWYERS' GENERAL AND EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND, PAST RECORD OF HANDLING INDIGENT/UNPOPULAR CASES, DEGREE OF CONSERVATISM OR LIBERALISM, AND URBAN VS. NON-URBAN LOCATION OF PRACTICE. THEY MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ENCOURAGING LAWYERS TO HANDLE INDIGENT AND UNPOPULAR CLIENTS IN EFFICIENT AND ECONOMICALLY FEASIBLE WAYS. A COPY OF THE QUESTIONNAIRE, WITH ANNOTATED AVERAGE RESPONSES, IS INCLUDED.