I really enjoyed the Rose Cafe with Scott Miller because it offered a very different perspective on a system that is very familiar to me. I have family members who work in law enforcement, so I grew up with an understanding of how that aspect of the justice system worked. Essentially, law enforcement receives a call, evaluates the situation, and makes the proper arrests and files appropriate charges, after which the defendant goes to court. I had never given much thought to what happens to these people in court and who defends them. Scott Miller spent a long time working as that person and it was enlightening to hear his views on defending the guilty.

I think that it is incredibly easy to write off a criminal and assume their guilt.  In some cases, these people have committed atrocious crimes, and defending them can seem unconscionable.  However, I also believe that everyone has the right to a fair trial, regardless of the accusations. People like Scott Miller use the law to defend people, and this helps preserve the freedom of the people and helps keep the penal system just. The work of a defense attorney is difficult and raises many moral questions. Is it moral to defend murderers and rapists? Are terrible people deserving of the same defense rights as everyone else? In the interest of democracy and freedom, I believe the answer is yes. I do not think I could do the work of a criminal defense attorney, but I respect it and recognize that it is an important job that helps preserve our justice system.