Defender

Justice Delayed, Defender Down: Bail Hearing for Hindu Monk Postponed as Attacked Lawyers Fail to Appear in Bangladesh Court

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Dhaka, Bangladesh – A bail hearing for Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, a Hindu priest from ISKCON detained on sedition charges, was indefinitely delayed after a no-show from his legal team in a Bangladesh court. The hearing, originally slated for today, has now been pushed to January 2 amid unsettling developments involving his defense lawyers. Reports indicate that the defense team, comprising 51 attorneys, has faced severe intimidation and violence, leading to their absence in court. Among them, advocate Ramen Roy, who is spearheading Das’s defense, was severely injured in an attack and is now recuperating … Read more

Navigating Oregon’s Public Defender System: Eligibility Criteria and Financial Obligations Explained

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PORTLAND, Ore. — In Oregon, accessing a public defender isn’t as straightforward as one might think. There are a range of stipulations and potential repayments involved, conditions which reflect both the complexities of the legal system and the ongoing public defender shortage that threatens to undermine the right to representation. This situation raises several important questions about justice delivery, particularly for those unable to afford private attorneys. Under the U.S. Constitution, every criminal defendant has the right to legal representation. However, not everyone qualifies for a free public lawyer in Oregon. Eligibility hinges on financial … Read more

Former Public Defender Seeking Probation in Ethics Case After Arguing for the Benefits of Cocaine

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ERIE, Pennsylvania – A former assistant public defender in Erie, Pennsylvania, who previously argued that cocaine can have cognitive benefits, is now seeking disciplinary probation in an ethics case. Nathaniel Edmond Strasser, the lawyer in question, had initially represented himself during the proceedings and suggested that low doses of cocaine can positively impact cognitive abilities. However, Strasser has since admitted that his self-representation was inappropriate and deficient. He is now being represented by attorney Philip Friedman. In a recent brief filed with the disciplinary board of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, Friedman acknowledged that Strasser is … Read more