The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1897-11-04
G. $1.00 per year. in advance
Six Months 30 cents.

shall enjoy the right to a speedy trial, by an i'm
partial jury of the state and district whern the
crime shall have been committed, which district
| shall have been previously ascertained by law,
and to be informed of the nature and cause of
the accusation; to be confronted with the
witnesses against him; to have compulsory pro-
cess of obtaining witnesses in his favor, and
to have the assistance of counsel for his de-
fense.'
The fifth amendment of the consti-
tuition. in part, is as follows:
Nor shall he be compelled in any criminal
case to be witness against himself, nor be de-
prived of life, liberty, or property, without due
process of law
'Nor shall be compelled in any
criminal case to be witness against
himself" Certainly every man is pre-
sumed to know the law. Now, in fact, >
how many do? How many know of
the aforesaid clause? The prosecuting
attorney visits the prisoner at the city
lookup and at the jail and the suspect
generally not knowing his rights per-
|
frequently called the sweat-box, thus
practically arming the prosecuting at
torney in the contest against the de-
fendant
"To have the assistance of counsel
for his defense.'' Where will you find
an attorney that will work for love?
The state makes all allowance of ten
dollars for defendants counsel. Where
will you find good attorney to take
up your case; make due research into
the facts and law of the case; have
proper witnesses subpGned, and if the
jury decides contrary to the evidence,
make an appeal, for ten dollars?
The attorney taking up the case will
generally be found to be one who goes
in it to make ten dollars the easiest
way, with little regard to justice.
The prosecuting and defendants
attorneys are ready to 60 on with the
case. Here is the prosecuting attorney
on one side-a man who is chosen by
the people for his ability and fitness
for the office; who is constantly having
practical experience, thus arming him.
self on every point; whose reputation
greatly depends on the cases he wins;
who has looked into every detail; SUBJ
ppned witnesses aud prepared himself
both in law and facts.
Here is the defendants attorney,
man, not the first one you would choose
were you in position to select; who
is appointed almost at the last
moment; who generally goes in only to
make the ten; who little cares which
way the decision is made; who prOba-
! bly, interviews the prisoner once while
in Jail, showing but little interest, and
thereafter no more is seen of him
until confronted in court; who, most
! likely has never since the interview
given the matter second thought, or
tried to become duly posted on the
law and facts of the matter, nor looked
up witnesses. With these odds the
prisoner is put to trial.
''Nor be deprived of liberty without
due process of law" Where is ''due
process of law?' Does it require
figures to reckon whether guilty or
innocent) the fate of the prisoner? If
the jury decides contrary to the evil
dence presented and against the de-
fendant, is his attorney likely to
appeal?
"The accused shall enjoy the right
to speady trial. The prisoner
minus the proper attorney finds case
after case showed in ahead of his. If
the indictment is turned in against
him in July he may have to wait about
four months for his trial. How many
an innocent man is thus confined!
Under such conditions why wonder
that so many men are found guilty,
and subsequently shown to be inno-
cent! RUDOLPH.