Subhas Anandan

I have been doing attachment in Chin Yeow Chong and Co for more than a month..its a small firm with only a lawyer, striking for quality not quantity..but that means there wont be too much for an attachment student to do..

On one usual seeking-for-things-to-read/do day, my boss passed me this book



The quote "Even the most heinous offender deserves a proper trial" attracted my attention

So this book is about the experience of a well known Singaporean Criminal Lawyer

My boss said i can read if i really have nothing to do..and can return it to him if i don't feel like reading it..at the moment..he might not read my adrenaline rushing excitement for having something interesting to read

Just few weeks ago..my fren told me that some criminal lawyers lead sleepless and threaten lives..

Moreover most people's impression of a criminal lawyer would be someone fighting for a murderer or a rapist; someone blamed by the family members of an accused who has to be sent to jail or to be executed; someone who either sides or offends the dangerous people in the society

All these comments and thoughts make me wonder..who is gonna be a criminal lawyer when the society has such a negative impression on them?

However Subhas's passion on criminal law could overcome all difficulties and prejudices

Although his young aged-son blamed him for having "bad" clients, Subhas insists that "Every accused is innocent before convicted" and "Even the most heinous offender deserves a proper trial"..

Its the right of every person, no matter whether he is guilty or not, to have a fair trial..not to say that many of the accused are actually innocent

I admire Subhas not only for his courage in dealing with criminals, but for his firm belief that every of his clients deserve his best effort to fight for them

Every criminal have their own stories..if there is sth in their stories that makes a punishment too harsh for them..Subhas would try his best to fight for a lesser sentence, for eg from a death sentence to life imprisonment

Of course it is hard to draw a line between a client's benefit and a total justice..at times..fighting the best outcome for clients makes their lives better..but sometimes it causes the repetition of offences..a lawyer is a human too..he/she doesn't have Godly eyes to determine what is the most just and appropriate thing to be done for the benefit of the world..he/she can only rely on his/her instinct and experience

The only thing a criminal lawyer can do is to try his/her best to fulfill his/her obligations and to constantly learn from mistakes

Credits to Subhas

for his deep involvement in criminal law despite his ill health..
for his willingness to fight for changes for a better society..
for his sharing of his stories for curious people like me..

If everybody condemns and looks down on criminal lawyers..who is gonna be one in this world?
Credits to Subhas for never giving up on being a criminal lawyer too!!