Tag: Criminal Justice

This is why attorneys have to beat their adversaries to the punch in the Court of Public Opinion

Bottom line: Thanks to “anchoring,” attorneys and clients who are able to engage the Court of Public Opinion before their adversaries do get to frame their legal disputes in ways that make it difficult for those adversaries to overcome. If you’ve done any reading and research about human psychology and persuasion, you’ve surely come across… Read More This is why attorneys have to beat their adversaries to the punch in the Court of Public Opinion

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What attorneys need to know about photos of their clients—including mugshots—and the Court of Public Opinion

Bottom line: Attorneys can help turn around negative media coverage of a client accused of wrongdoing by ensuring that photos of the client published by media outlets put the client in a favorable light (literally). Have you ever been retained by someone who has been accused of doing something wrong and who has already been… Read More What attorneys need to know about photos of their clients—including mugshots—and the Court of Public Opinion

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Did a criminal defense attorney violate Rule of Professional Conduct 3.6

Bottom line: When an attorney releases to reporters tapes of his or her client confessing to a crime, the attorney may expose himself or herself to ethical discipline. Craig Penglase (left). Photo credit: Michael Bryant, Philly.com Staff Photographer In July 2017, four young men disappeared from the Philadelphia suburbs. One week later, their bodies were… Read More Did a criminal defense attorney violate Rule of Professional Conduct 3.6

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Meek Mill and the Court of Public Opinion

Bottom line: In support of his cause, Meek Mill’s legal and communications team executed a sophisticated and strategic campaign directed at the Court of Public Opinion. Image: Roc Nation Late last month, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court made national news when it granted a King’s Bench petition and released rapper Meek Mill from prison on unsecured bail.… Read More Meek Mill and the Court of Public Opinion

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Pennsylvania federal court rules that federal government can be sued for media leaks made by its…

Bottom line: Criminal defense attorneys must be ready for damaging leaks by government officials about their clients, and must respond aggressively to limit the resulting damage. Image credit: Clem Murray (Philadelphia Inquirer) A Pennsylvania federal court judge recently ruled that Chaka “Chip” Fattah, Jr., a now-convicted white-collar criminal and son of former United States Congressman… Read More Pennsylvania federal court rules that federal government can be sued for media leaks made by its…

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Federal indictment of Philadelphia District Attorney is a reminder that prosecutors are savvy about…

Bottom line: Criminal defense attorneys must execute both legal strategies and communication strategies for high-profile clients. Image credit: City of Philadelphia On March 21, The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey filed an indictment by a federal grand jury charging Philadelphia District Attorney Seth Williams with 23 criminal counts ranging from… Read More Federal indictment of Philadelphia District Attorney is a reminder that prosecutors are savvy about…

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Murder case of an FSU law professor shows the need for attorneys to balance advocacy with ethics

Bottom line: Attorneys must ensure that their public statements comply with applicable ethical rules. Image Credit: National Law Journal We spend much of our time on this blog writing about how attorneys fail to make their clients’ cases in the Court of Public Opinion. We lament the fact that if parties to a case or their… Read More Murder case of an FSU law professor shows the need for attorneys to balance advocacy with ethics

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Go ahead, pop that [strategic public statement responding to allegations of white-] collar…

Bottom line: When individuals are first publicly accused of committing white-collar crime, they cannot let prosecutors have the first *and* last word on the allegations. On October 20, out on Long Island in New York state, Nassau County’s County Executive, his wife, and Oyster Bay’s Town Supervisor were arrested and indicted on federal criminal charges… Read More Go ahead, pop that [strategic public statement responding to allegations of white-] collar…

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