People v. State

The Center for a Stateless Society announced yesterday that it has cut all ties with a former staff member who turned informant for the State to save her own skin from drug charges.

I hope and believe that if I ever found myself in a similar situation I would have the courage to die like a lion rather than live like a dog, as Tony Serra so passionately put it. But it’s important to remember that the State, which tortures people into betraying their friends, is the real monster here.

I’m cognizant of the apparent dissonance between this view and my implied approval of the fictional “proposition” I reviewed in my last post. I’m confident those who’ve seen that movie will appreciate the distinction.

I’m reminded of a post Jeff Gamso wrote a while ago in which he condemned as the lowest of the low a criminal defense lawyer who, by wearing a wire, had betrayed a client who was involved in a drug ring. I wholeheartedly seconded the condemnation in a comment, but noted, contrarian that I am, that a criminal defense lawyer might have a real ethical dilemma on his hands if he learns that his client is actively involved not in a drug ring but in a sex slavery ring. Another commenter suggested that if that’s what I thought I had no business representing people accused of crimes. But I think the actual Rules of Professional Conduct support me on that.

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