A Brother
Before I went to law school, the brother of my close friend had committed a
felony that resulted in a prison sentence. For some reason, I felt privileged
to visit him in prison. After he was released from prison, he did not again do
what would put him back in prison. Rather, he loved his wife, raised his
children, worked hard, and humbled his heart before God.
On Christmas Eve 2008, at just age 50, this dear brother died from cancer,
and went to his heavenly and incorruptible home. He had become, and is, a
man who learned the most important lessons of life.
Before I went to law school, the brother of my close friend had committed a
felony that resulted in a prison sentence. For some reason, I felt privileged
to visit him in prison. After he was released from prison, he did not again do
what would put him back in prison. Rather, he loved his wife, raised his
children, worked hard, and humbled his heart before God.
On Christmas Eve 2008, at just age 50, this dear brother died from cancer,
and went to his heavenly and incorruptible home. He had become, and is, a
man who learned the most important lessons of life.
Andrew G. Wiggin, P.C.
Perspectives
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"Serving clients in all litigation after state criminal trials, all across Virginia!"
www.post-trial-litigation.com
(757) 333-7539
(757) 333-7539
Disclaimer: The information provided on this website is not legal advice. Accessing the information on
this website does not establish an attorney/client relationship. No attorney may ethically promise a
certain litigation outcome based on a future decision by a court. Persons interested in retaining the legal
services of Andrew G. Wiggin, P.C. should contact the Firm. Potential clients or interested persons
may contact the Firm to discuss retaining Andrew G. Wiggin for post-trial litigation. Andrew G.
Wiggin does not serve as counsel of record in federal courts, nor give legal advice on representation in
federal litigation, although referrals can be provided.
All pictures used with applicable copyright permission.
Copyright 2007 by Andrew G. Wiggin, P.C. All rights reserved.
this website does not establish an attorney/client relationship. No attorney may ethically promise a
certain litigation outcome based on a future decision by a court. Persons interested in retaining the legal
services of Andrew G. Wiggin, P.C. should contact the Firm. Potential clients or interested persons
may contact the Firm to discuss retaining Andrew G. Wiggin for post-trial litigation. Andrew G.
Wiggin does not serve as counsel of record in federal courts, nor give legal advice on representation in
federal litigation, although referrals can be provided.
All pictures used with applicable copyright permission.
Copyright 2007 by Andrew G. Wiggin, P.C. All rights reserved.
The Blind
In some ways, a client is like a blind person. Compared to the
attorney trained in the law and familiar with the nuances of
procedure and strategy, most clients must rely on their
lawyer's "guiding hand" as much as a blind person must rely
on sighted people. Our United States Supreme Court coined
this phrase, and continues to reiterate it as part of what is
"basic in our system of jurisprudence." Argersinger v. Hamlin,
407 U.S. 25, 33 (1972). This places a vital responsibility on a
defense attorney, whether retained or court-appointed.
So important is this caution, that one of the Bible's nastiest
lists of sins (including bestiality and incest) is the declaration
that; "Cursed is he who misleads a blind person on the road."
(Deuteronomy 27:18)
In a sense, my (unenviable) post-trial job is to look at the path
taken, and see if the ditch was inevitable or avoidable.
In some ways, a client is like a blind person. Compared to the
attorney trained in the law and familiar with the nuances of
procedure and strategy, most clients must rely on their
lawyer's "guiding hand" as much as a blind person must rely
on sighted people. Our United States Supreme Court coined
this phrase, and continues to reiterate it as part of what is
"basic in our system of jurisprudence." Argersinger v. Hamlin,
407 U.S. 25, 33 (1972). This places a vital responsibility on a
defense attorney, whether retained or court-appointed.
So important is this caution, that one of the Bible's nastiest
lists of sins (including bestiality and incest) is the declaration
that; "Cursed is he who misleads a blind person on the road."
(Deuteronomy 27:18)
In a sense, my (unenviable) post-trial job is to look at the path
taken, and see if the ditch was inevitable or avoidable.
The Three Crosses
When Jesus was crucified, two criminals were crucified with Him, one on
either side. One of the criminals demanded that Jesus exercise His power to
remove their punishment by getting them all down from their crosses.
However, the other criminal corrected him by saying "we are receiving what
we deserve for our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong." (Luke
23:41) Only to that humble criminal did Jesus promise the forgiveness and
deliverance of forever being with Him, after death.
As I fight battles for clients to seek to correct improper administrations of
justice or due process, it is also true that "God is opposed to the proud, but
gives grace to the humble." (I Peter 5:5) Whatever humility means for
each individual client, it is always the best path of the heart.
This applies not just to the criminally accused, but to everyone. We must
each see ourself on one of those two crosses, on the right or the left of the
only truly innocent One. Which perspective do you have?
When Jesus was crucified, two criminals were crucified with Him, one on
either side. One of the criminals demanded that Jesus exercise His power to
remove their punishment by getting them all down from their crosses.
However, the other criminal corrected him by saying "we are receiving what
we deserve for our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong." (Luke
23:41) Only to that humble criminal did Jesus promise the forgiveness and
deliverance of forever being with Him, after death.
As I fight battles for clients to seek to correct improper administrations of
justice or due process, it is also true that "God is opposed to the proud, but
gives grace to the humble." (I Peter 5:5) Whatever humility means for
each individual client, it is always the best path of the heart.
This applies not just to the criminally accused, but to everyone. We must
each see ourself on one of those two crosses, on the right or the left of the
only truly innocent One. Which perspective do you have?
Spiritual Property
A prisoner has an advantage over
someone not in prison. Each day a
prisoner is reminded that his or her
possessions can be taken away, rightly
or wrongly. We who have not been
incarcerated can mistakenly believe
that we have much more control over
our possessions, and even our life,
than we really do.
Jesus wants us each to ask ourself the
question; "What will a man be
profited if he gains the whole world,
and forfeits his soul?" (Matthew
16:26)
A prisoner has an advantage over
someone not in prison. Each day a
prisoner is reminded that his or her
possessions can be taken away, rightly
or wrongly. We who have not been
incarcerated can mistakenly believe
that we have much more control over
our possessions, and even our life,
than we really do.
Jesus wants us each to ask ourself the
question; "What will a man be
profited if he gains the whole world,
and forfeits his soul?" (Matthew
16:26)
Roots of Some Rights
The concepts of due process for an accused began
long before our Bill Of Rights, and even before the
Magna Carta of 1215. In the first century A.D., the
Roman Governor Festus, noted that; "it is not the
custom of the Romans to hand over any man before
the accused meets his accusers face to face, and has
an opportunity to make his defense against the
charges." (Acts 25:16) He also acknowledged the
right of an appeal to a higher authority (25:21), and
described the notice requirement by saying it would
be "absurd" to hold a prisoner but "not to indicate
also the charges against him." (25:27)
Centuries before that, King/Judge Solomon wrote;
"The first to plead his case seems just, until another
comes and examines him." (Proverbs 18:17)
Centuries more before that, God established the
concept of limited jurisdiction for His people Israel,
that a court could not inflict capital punishment
without proof from at least "two witnesses."
(Numbers 35:30 and Deuteronomy 17:6) (Virginia
still retains a "two witness" rule for perjury cases.)
I consider it a great privilege to be one part of our
society's administration of justice. My modern role
of reviewing and petitioning for proper treatment of
an accused is not a new role. My role is, however,
vital to the overall integrity of our judicial system, as
is the role of every participant.
The concepts of due process for an accused began
long before our Bill Of Rights, and even before the
Magna Carta of 1215. In the first century A.D., the
Roman Governor Festus, noted that; "it is not the
custom of the Romans to hand over any man before
the accused meets his accusers face to face, and has
an opportunity to make his defense against the
charges." (Acts 25:16) He also acknowledged the
right of an appeal to a higher authority (25:21), and
described the notice requirement by saying it would
be "absurd" to hold a prisoner but "not to indicate
also the charges against him." (25:27)
Centuries before that, King/Judge Solomon wrote;
"The first to plead his case seems just, until another
comes and examines him." (Proverbs 18:17)
Centuries more before that, God established the
concept of limited jurisdiction for His people Israel,
that a court could not inflict capital punishment
without proof from at least "two witnesses."
(Numbers 35:30 and Deuteronomy 17:6) (Virginia
still retains a "two witness" rule for perjury cases.)
I consider it a great privilege to be one part of our
society's administration of justice. My modern role
of reviewing and petitioning for proper treatment of
an accused is not a new role. My role is, however,
vital to the overall integrity of our judicial system, as
is the role of every participant.
The Golden Rule for Defense Attorneys
Throughout more than 20 years in courtrooms, the perspective I have found most helpful is the
simple question; "If I were the defendant, how well would I want my lawyer to represent me?"
See Matthew 7:12
Throughout more than 20 years in courtrooms, the perspective I have found most helpful is the
simple question; "If I were the defendant, how well would I want my lawyer to represent me?"
See Matthew 7:12