Ohio’s Chief Justice Stands Up to Jeff Sessions in Support of Low-Income People

[MisterVeritis]

Well, in my experience and based on my observations, someone with money will be fined more than someone with no money. I have watched judges be more lenient b/c of poverty. I have seen judges be rougher on people with more assets. I can't speak to bail b/c I don't know. The quality of representation, I know many public defenders in Akron that are very good and passionate -- but overworked. Yes, if you have money you can afford a better lawyer but due process is met with the provision of a public defender. We've all done pro bono work to help the poor. It's not perfect but it's far from a situation that the courts 'don't function'.

Should our courts behave that way? Is the court motto "From each according to his assets"?

If justice is not blind how can it still be just?

[Peter1469]

I respectfully disagree. In Ohio, I have seen judges, prosecutors, insurance adjusters and lawyers bend over backwards to help people b/c they are poor.

And most state Bars have robust programs to provide free legal representation to the poor. Most Big Law firms allow associates to count pro-bono work to their yearly hours. And the Bar associations are always sending out emails seeking donations to these programs.

[DGUtley]

@The Xl -- I found this today: again, nothing is perfect, but we are trying and we have made progress in Ohio: http://www.cleveland.com/opinion/ind...incart_m-rpt-1

[The Xl]

@The Xl -- I found this today: again, nothing is perfect, but we are trying and we have made progress in Ohio: http://www.cleveland.com/opinion/ind...incart_m-rpt-1

Maybe Ohio is different from the rest of the country, and if it is, I salute them.