tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-568037423033936598.post4089126866959818301..comments2023-09-16T05:00:15.762-05:00Comments on Minnesota Criminal Defense Blog: Amy Senser Trial Continues...Minnesota Criminal Defense Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00949324560541067902noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-568037423033936598.post-71474991748921534882012-04-26T16:25:27.355-05:002012-04-26T16:25:27.355-05:00Thanks for your answer. I'm the biggest advoc...Thanks for your answer. I'm the biggest advocate for the defense, but AFFORDABLE defense. Most people cannot afford adequate representation, which is why someone like me, if I was involved in a hit and run, could not afford to be represented and I would be in jail. But now I know if I happen to mow someone down with my car and kill them, and then leave the scene, I won't need a lawyer, all I have to say is, "Hey, I didn't know I hit a person!" Awesome. Saves me a ton of money on an attorney. :-( Sorry, I'm so sarcastic, but this whole case p***** me off.Margarethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10601450046086315768noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-568037423033936598.post-24044413576649064432012-04-26T15:30:22.620-05:002012-04-26T15:30:22.620-05:00Margaret - I can't comment on the conclusion ...Margaret - I can't comment on the conclusion you come to, but I believe your thoughts are very accurate. Public opinion is not often swayed by decisions of the court. I'm not sure she's "using the legal system" in this instance, as the defendant is not the person who decides what they are charged with. The prosecution chose to charge this specific crime knowing full well that it's hard to prove what someone did or didn't know. As a defense attorney, you try not to worry as much about concerns like this and instead work hard to make sure that your client's rights are protected and that the police/prosecution are kept honest. I would have to imagine that, for most people, the guilt they feel for being involved in the death of another person is a stronger punishment than anything the justice system can throw at them. Whether or not Amy Senser is found guilty of the crimes she's charged with, she'll have to go through life knowing that her actions (or in-actions, depending on how you look at it) caused the death of another person. Even if it was an accident, I'd think that's tough to deal with.Minnesota Criminal Defense Bloghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00949324560541067902noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-568037423033936598.post-92108854544854470502012-04-26T15:13:46.248-05:002012-04-26T15:13:46.248-05:00I'm sure you're aware that in the court of...I'm sure you're aware that in the court of public opinion other rules apply. There is a belief that because Senser can afford an expensive attorney, she's getting "off" through legal tricks. If she gets "off", she'll almost be like another Casey Anthony or George Zimmerman, although not quite as extreme, but the public will always see her as the woman who ran down a man and left him to die on the pavement and offered him no help. In a sense, even though she might get "off," and won't have to serve prison time, her sentence in the court of public opinion will be far worse and last far longer than if she had to serve a few years in prison. This is why people are so angry about this trial, including me, because Senser is not taking any moral responsibility of causing a man's death and not even calling 911. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to read between all the legal jargon and this law says this and that law says this, and listening to all the pre-rehearsed testimony that Senser knew she hit someone and ran away like a coward. She is using the legal system to avoid taking responsibility for her actions. And if it was me, I couldn't live with myself. I couldn't live with myself if I had to resort to the legal tricks just to stay out of jail. I am morally and legally accountable if I cause someone's death. Do you agree?Margarethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10601450046086315768noreply@blogger.com