Lessons of Love and Justice for Criminal Defence Work

Abstract

In this review, the author explores that Dr. King's lessons of love and justice have much to offer those in the trenches of criminal defence practice, who may be more desperately in need of these lessons than even they know. In making my case, I draw connections between Dr. King's lessons and the work of legal scholars who have theorised the practice of criminal defence work to explore a nobler conception of professional role than can be summed up in the typical procedural justifications for defence work.

Keywords: criminal, defense, defence, Martin Luther King Jr, MLK, civil rights