Date of Award

1994

Publication Type

Master Thesis

Degree Name

M.A.

Department

Social Work

Keywords

Sociology, Criminology and Penology.

Supervisor

Shuraydi, M.,

Rights

info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess

Abstract

This study examines the social construction of a 'good' criminal lawyer based on self-perceptions of local criminal defence counsels. Particular emphasis has been placed upon the quantitative and qualitative analysis of the necessary attributes of practising criminal counsels, inclusive of: commitment, integrity, competency, and fair and reasonable fees. Exploring how strictly criminal lawyers abide by the Rules of Professional Conduct also provided insight as to the seriousness with which they employ questionable ethical practices. Differences among these perceptions were analyzed using SPSSx (1986). Of the nineteen questionnaire respondents, ten criminal defence counsels participated in personal interviews that revealed: (1) a great majority of local criminal defence counsels stressed the importance of representing the accused based on the premise that the accused is presumed innocent until proven guilty and entitled to fair legal representation; (2) local criminal defence counsels considered themselves to be the most ethical of all lawyers; (3) great importance was placed upon the criminal lawyer abiding by the Rules of Professional Conduct as dictated by the Law Society of Upper Canada (L.S.U.C.); and (4) criminal lawyers who are more likely to breach the Rules of Professional Conduct are influenced by a personal as opposed to a collective breakdown of morals.Dept. of Sociology and Anthropology. Paper copy at Leddy Library: Theses & Major Papers - Basement, West Bldg. / Call Number: Thesis1994 .S495. Source: Masters Abstracts International, Volume: 34-02, page: 0607. Adviser: M. Shuraydi. Thesis (M.A.)--University of Windsor (Canada), 1994.

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