The Evening critic., 1883-03-06
shysters at the Police Court.

The attempts Of the. police to break fup
the practice of lawyers keeping agents
around the doors and witness-rooms of the
Police Court to pick mp cases have been
but partially successful. The Police Court
has always been an arena wherein various
types of shysters We'd with each other in
unprofessional actions and endeavored to
see how low and disgraceful they could
make their own calling.
At the Police Court bar there are never
theless many upright and estimable bar
ristcrs who find in that court q number of
clients and cases not to be found in the
higher courts. There are also young law
yers, destined in the future TO adorn the
profession to which they belong, and win
distinction by their eloquence and legal
shrewdness and energy, and it is but
simple justice to these classes that the
atmosphere of the bar should be purified,
and the sharks and shysters rooted out and
debarred or so exposed to the world that
their nefarious occupation may be like
Othello's-gone.
Thcse scouts and drummers are en-
gagged in picking up unwary or ignorant
clients and plotting them to tho alleged
lawyers who are willing to help the unfor-
tunates to gain access to the workhouse or
Jail for a fee of anywhere from SOC. to So.
These employees of the lawyers are not as
numerous as in days gone by, and there arc
not more than four or five persons known
most notorious of these are two negroes
who labor in the interest of firm of attor-
neys and are always to be seen.
One of the industrious pair is tall and
slim and light in color, while the other is
dark and stout and short.
The modus operandi of these people shows
considerable adroitness and shrewdness.
| One stations himself DIT the door, while the
| other mingles among the crowd in the
courtroom and witness-rooms, and both
watch for persons who, by their inquiries
| remarks or excitement, show that they are
defendants. When victim is found, one
| of the pimps takes him or her aside, out o.
hearing of the court officials, and assuming
| the air of pbilanthropist, begins a stereo
| typed address after the pattern of the fol
lowing:
"My friend, see you are in trouble, ant
think that l can help you. You hav'
little chance for justice heie, as the thiev
ing lawyers and harsh judge are sure l,
send you to Jail, but l know an attorne.
who practices for charity scarcely charge
you anything and is sure to get you oil
This man has the confidence of the judge
and is very smart lawyer"
If the victim submits, the pimp goes int
the courtroom and begins a system o
signaling and motioning until he attract
the attention of lawyer whose connection
with case is almost certain conviction o
the client. The lawyer" pounccs upol
his prey, secures his little fee aud perform
worse than worthless services for the client
The actions of these e-brokers are no
confined to the Police Court building, a
the pimps often see prospective victim OF
Louisiana avenue, d or Sixth streets befor
l ha, baI bn prt apI n
upon them; while Others loaf on the cor
ners and keep their eyes peeled for person
who go about inquiring for lawyers Offices
and this variety of the case-solicitor has n
hesitation in assuring his victims that TIL
lawyer for whom they are inquiring is of
disreputable character and devoid ofability
and that the only truly able, successful an
reliable attorney is the one in whose EN-
ploy they happen to be.