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To force a lawyer on a defendant can only lead him to believe that the law contrives against him.
Potter Stewart
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Imposing legal representation on someone can create distrust in the legal system.

This quote underscores the idea that when a lawyer is mandated for a defendant, it may foster a sense of alienation or opposition to the legal process. The defendant may view the imposition of legal counsel as a signal that the law is not on their side, potentially leading to a lack of trust and cooperation with the legal proceedings.

Themes

LawJusticeDefendantTrustRepresentation

In practice

Example use cases

In a legal workshop discussing the rights of defendants, this quote can illustrate the importance of voluntary representation.

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