Therapeutic Jurisprudence, Criminal Law Practice, and Relationship-Centered Lawyering

Chapman Journal of Criminal Justice, Vol. 2, p. 93, 2011

Arizona Legal Studies Discussion Paper No 09-29

9 Pages Posted: 17 Aug 2009 Last revised: 17 Apr 2011

See all articles by David B. Wexler

David B. Wexler

University of Puerto Rico - School of Law; University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law

Date Written: April 14, 2010

Abstract

This brief essay, prepared for a Chapman law school conference on therapeutic juriprudence and problem-solving courts, suggests that a therapeutic jurisprudence approach to criminal lawyering is consistent with notions of zealous advocacy, and that such an approach to criminal lawyering also fits nicely within an emerging framework of 'relationship-centered' lawyering. Relationship-centered lawyering is consistent with client-centered lawyering in exactly the same way that therapeutic jurisprudence lawyering is consistent with zealous advocacy: both approaches add a rich, interdisciplinary, and holistic ingredient to the traditional approach. Moreover, in the criminal law context, a relationship-centered approach will encourage therapeutic jurisrudence thinking to examine the role of the prosecutor, an area that has thus far not attracted sufficient academic attention. The present essay provides some examples from the prosecutorial arena and urges further development of therapeutic jurisprudence studies along those lines.

Keywords: therapeutic jurisprudence, relationship-centered lawyering, criminal law, prosecutors

Suggested Citation

Wexler, David B., Therapeutic Jurisprudence, Criminal Law Practice, and Relationship-Centered Lawyering (April 14, 2010). Chapman Journal of Criminal Justice, Vol. 2, p. 93, 2011, Arizona Legal Studies Discussion Paper No 09-29, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1456463 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.1456463

David B. Wexler (Contact Author)

University of Puerto Rico - School of Law ( email )

PO Box 23349
San Juan.PR, AZ 00931
Puerto Rico
787-565-1625 (Phone)

HOME PAGE: https://law.arizona.edu/david-b-wexler

University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law

P.O. Box 210176
Tucson, AZ 85721-0176
United States
787-565-1625 (Phone)

HOME PAGE: https://law.arizona.edu/david-b-wexler

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