Bryan Eagle Favoritism?

To apprise the public of important issues in the Brazos County race for county attorney prosecutor, I've commented here and here on contrary public opinions offered through the editorial section of the Bryan Eagle about candidates Shane Phelps and Rod Anderson. Not surprisingly, the Eagle editorial board may be showing favoritism to Phelps by failing to publish letters supporting Anderson on their website. Specifically, the letters published February 14th supporting Phelps were published on the website that day. However, letters supporting Anderson on February 15th were not published at all.

Consider writing Robert C. Borden, opinions editor, (editboard@theeagle.com) and ask what's going on over there.

Handling the Media - Be Available

With the Tour de France into its 3rd and final week, criminal defense lawyers can learn something from the top riders who know how to work with the press. After 5-6 hours in the saddle, with the likes of Michael Rasmussen (yellow jersey), Alberto Contador (white jersey), and Mauricio Soler ripping your legs off in the mountains, it would be easy to ignore the press when they are looking for interviews and insight into the dynamic of the peloton that day. But riders like Levi Leipheimer and Chris Horner are making friends by being available and being polite when dealing with media reporters.

The defense lawyer should always strive to develop good working relationships with reporters in the media. The defense lawyer should treat reporters the way they would want to be treated and develop empathy for the reporter and the pressures under which they work. Reporters are constantly dealing with deadlines and resent people they believe are wasting their time.

The effective defender dealing with the media always thanks the reporter for covering their case and remains available for comment. The lawyer should be reachable and always return a reporter's call or e-mail promptly. The defense lawyer need always keep their word and get back to a reporter if they promise to do so.

Finally, the lawyer should be generous with their time. Spending the time necessary to help the reporter truly understand the case and legal issues pays great dividends. Reporters are naturally curious and are appreciative of lawyers who take a personal interest in them getting the story right. Helping the reporter understand the legal issues and they will often find a way to return the favor.

Over time, the top professional riders in the peloton who work generously with the media are rewarded with time in the spotlight. Quality time in front of the camera can only enhance one's professional image and popularity with fans. Texas criminal defense lawyers can also be rewarded when they are available for the press. Often a client's case is perceived more favorably in the media when the lawyer takes time to know the facts, get prepared, and remain available for comment with the press.

Handling the Media - Know the Facts

In my introductory post on handling the media, we learned how the effective criminal defense lawyer must always consider how media coverage can affect their client's interests during the litigation process. In high profile criminal cases the defense lawyer should learn to think like a reporter and learn to recognize a newsworthy angle on their case. In other words, what things about the case constitutes "news" and how does the lawyer prepare to represent their client zealously in the media? First though, the defense lawyer must know the facts.

Many lawyers are reluctant to talk to the press for fear of violating the rules of ethics which govern their professional conduct. The rules of ethics state the lawyer can make comments upon and generally discuss the following matters related to their case: (1) the general nature of a claim or defense; (2) any information contained in a public record: (3) an investigation is underway - including any defense involved; and (4) a request for assistance in obtaining evidence. Additionally, the lawyer may also comment upon a matter "reasonably calculated to counter the unfair prejudicial effect of another public statement" made in the press. That is, if the prosecutor is engaged in a media campaign against their client the defense lawyer is permitted to respond the attack.

To present a newsworthy angle on their case the lawyer must know the facts of the case intimately before talking with the press. If the lawyer makes a mistake it will be forever recorded in print and in website archives. Since other reporters will look to past stories for background information they are likely to repeat the lawyer's error in their own stories. In this case, credibility may be lost and the client's case can suffer harm.

In future posts we will continue our exploration of areas in which the criminal defense lawyer can prepare to make the best use of the media to zealously represent their client.

Handling the Media - An Introduction

The effective criminal defense lawyer must always consider how media coverage can affect their client's interests during the litigation process. Media reporters can be an important tool and ally if used correctly. Consequently, to use the media to his advantage the College Station criminal defense lawyer must understand how it works.

Important use of the press can often assist the lawyer in the following ways. First, press coverage can help an investigator do a better job investigating. In other words, the press can alert possible witnesses or other helpful sources to the fact you are seeking information. As a result, reporters can obtain the names of persons with helpful information who are not associated with the police and who might be willing to assist in the defense investigation.

A second important use of the media is to counter negative publicity coming from law enforcement sources. The defense lawyer wants a balanced treatment of his client's case in the press. If the other side is mounting a media campaign against their client, the responsible defense lawyer has a duty to respond to the attack.

In subsequent posts we will explore the areas in which the defense lawyer can comment in the press. Further, we will explore how the lawyer can prepare to make the best use of the media to zealously represent their client.

Handling the Media - Be Prepared

The Bryan criminal defense lawyer must always be prepared in advance of talking with the media. Simply, the defense lawyer should know ahead of time what they want (or need) to accomplish for the client before making comments to the press. The lawyer needs a good plan and outline and needs to memorize key points and stick to them. Also, the lawyer needs to anticipate reporter's questions and even practice making comments before going "live" or before giving an interview with a newspaper reporter.

Another key point is always tell the truth. If the press ever catches the lawyer lying the client's interests will suffer and the lawyer's credibility will be damaged, extending far beyond the case at hand. The lawyer wants the press to see them as forthright and honest - rather than someone willing to say anything to win their case, even at their own expense. If a lawyer cannot answer a certain question because it is privileged the lawyer should be prepared to give the reporter a brief explanation.

We will continue to explore how the defense lawyer can represent their client in the press when we look at being polite and available.