Veteran Marin public defender exits after 36 years
Marin Independent JournalAug 12, 2017
"I hate bullies," he once said.
Brown, who became a
Q Why did you choose criminal defense as opposed to another area of law?
A Since I was a youngster, I always identified with and rooted for the underdog. And, my mother always told me, "David, you should be a lawyer because you argue about everything." For me, criminal law is the most exciting and gratifying type of law.
Q Who's harder to represent, an innocent person who's likely to be convicted, or a guilty person who's likely to get off?
A Having a client whom you believe to be completely innocent always puts additional pressure on a lawyer. Hopefully, the lawyer representing such a client will pull out all the stops to ensure that no injustice occurs. As
Q Is the rule of law stronger now then when you started your career, or weaker?
A In California, the pendulum has swung from the liberal
Q Given student debt loads and the job market, would you recommend a law career to undergraduates?
A If making money is your No. 1 priority, choose a tech career. If you have a real passion for an issue or area of the law, go for it!
Q What's more important, verbal adroitness or strategic cunning?
A Both are important. Articulate arguments are obviously most effective. But courtroom strategy is critical to an effective defense. You have to be able to visualize and explain to your clients how the case will play out in court.
Q If you could overturn one Supreme Court decision, what would it be?
A
___
(c)2017 The Marin Independent Journal (Novato, Calif.)
Visit The Marin Independent Journal (Novato, Calif.) at www.marinij.com
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.