From the beginning, Mandela and Tambo was besieged with clients. We were not the only African lawyers in South Africa, but we were the only firm of African lawyers. For Africans, we were the firm of first choice and last resort.
Nelson MandelaRead
The prosecution has an ethical duty to ensure not just that they get a conviction when the defendant is guilty, but also to ensure that they get it by means of fair trial, and that means a fair trial for the defense as well as the prosecution.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The prosecution must ensure both justice and fairness in trials, protecting the rights of the defense as well.
In this quote, Marcia Clark emphasizes the dual responsibility of the prosecution in legal cases: not only must they seek to convict those who are guilty, but they are also ethically bound to uphold the principles of a fair trial. This encompasses the rights of the defense, highlighting that true justice cannot be achieved without ensuring that all parties receive fair treatment under the law, which is critical for the integrity of the judicial system.
Themes
JusticeFair TrialEthicsProsecutionDefense
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in a courtroom setting to remind legal professionals of their ethical obligations.
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