A punishment for the poor
We’ve heard it in the movies a thousand times – “You have the right to an attorney.” But in most states there is little guarantee in most states that poor defendants will receive a competent one.
Our nation’s death penalty is littered with shocking examples of lawyers who were drunk, asleep, or completely inexperienced. Most people cannot afford a “dream team” of expensive lawyers. When court-appointed lawyers lack the experience or resources to do an effective job in a capital case, their mistakes can cost a life.
