Mark Osler, a professor at the University of St. Thomas School of Law and former federal prosecutor, spoke with KSTP about the role of court-appointed attorneys in high-profile federal fraud cases. Osler explained why providing qualified legal representation protects due process and helps ensure convictions withstand appeal, even in cases involving significant public scrutiny.
From the story:
“There’s a righteous anger there and I felt it myself,” said Mark Osler, a former federal prosecutor and professor at the University of St. Thomas School of Law.
But Osler cautions that the consequences of denying someone an attorney can be significant if a defendant appeals their conviction on the grounds of ineffective counsel.
“There’s a way in which it benefits us all that those particular defendants have good attorneys because if they don’t … Then the whole case can come back again,” Osler said.
Defendants who want a court-appointed attorney must also swear to their financial situation under oath, and lying to the court can result in a new criminal charge.
Legal experts say court-appointed attorneys can also help protect taxpayer money in the long run.
“If we’re going to invest in something, investing in defense counsel is probably a good bet,” Osler said. “It does ensure a fair trial. It does ensure that we’ll only be doing this once.”
