Lawyers as we know them today—professional public/private servants who know the ins and outs of the legal process and can lend their knowledge to resolve various conflicts with clarity and justice.
Hundreds graduated at the Law Development Center in Kampala this week. They were filled with jubilation and a number of scholars came to the panel with seasoned words of knowledge. At such a time where the legal system of Uganda is least trusted, the young men and women have a lot to accomplish for the country.
From the public perspective, the people armed with such absolute power abuse it is among those “truths” we may consider “to be self-evident.” But, the lack of access of justice also has wide-ranging implications for our society as a whole. Many have for such reasons resorted to mob justice with no fear whatsoever of authorities. Talk of the just concluded Presidential Elections, the Amama Mbabazi Petition?
Despite the good-faith efforts of very many people, the system is perceived as an abomination, disgrace and a menace to some citizen of the country.
To note, the legal system today reflects this biblical model. The prosecuting lawyer looks into the law and brings an accusation against the defendant, attempting to show his guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Then the defense lawyer argues for the innocence of his client or points to some extenuating circumstance.
The temptations of the lawyer are numerous and of the strongest possible kind, and require the sternest sort of virtue, for which only faith in God can furnish.
The ethical challenge lawyers face is the question of defending a client who he or she knows is guilty. Should a Christian lawyer knowingly defend a guilty client if the defense would involve falsehood, excusing the crime, or blame-shifting?
Ignoring justice is something that God “detests” (Proverbs 17:15). A curse is associated with calling the guilty innocent (Proverbs 24:24), and blessings are promised to those who convict the guilty (Proverbs 24:25).
Furthermore to faith and calling, the nature of the legal profession obliges them to examine the evidences of Christianity. Evidence is everything with a lawyer, and Christianity only asks that her evidence be candidly examined. To do this should be the lawyer’s business, and if he did it well and thoroughly he would certainly be a believer.
The success of our society relies in large part on the trust we all put in the rule of law and the knowledge that the legal system will be there to enforce our rights should something go wrong. When that trust breaks down, the fundamental principle of the rule of the law is being eroded.
I trust that for most of our fresh lawyers facing the practice, this message should be at the back of their mind.
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By Rev. E.P. ROGERS, D.D. and aaron@ugchristiannews.com. Courtesy Photo – Hundreds graduate at the Law Development Center in Kampala
