Are Lawyers Immoral For Defending Guilty Criminals?

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Multiple advocates and lawyers have visited us, and everyone has had similar questions. Despite knowing that a person performed unrighteousness and crime, we are instructed to save them to get paid. We knowingly defend Guilty criminals. Are we immoral?

This is a crime on the Lawyer’s behalf; you are aware and try to save them. You would ensure they get punished if someone close to you was harmed, wouldn’t you? Your conscience warns you from within when you are doing something wrong. You will be dissatisfied, and at unrest, your heart will burn. The money earned from untruthful sources creates unrest in your life and family. When justice is not delivered, when the soul of an innocent curses. Your downfall becomes certain. You will burn from within.

No bribe works in God’s court; only justice is done directly because He is the witness. He doesn’t need any lawyer; He Himself is the judge sitting in your heart, watching each and every instinct. Live a simple life with whatever little means you have; you will be peaceful. No money should be able to buy you. When God is with you, peace, happiness, and bliss will fill your heart. What is the use of your education and training if you entrap innocents and free up unrighteous people? This is just the business of unrighteousness, then? Then how will you get peace?

Difference Between Lawyers Being Merciful And Knowingly Protecting Criminals

If someone commits a mistake for the first time, admits from his heart, and does not have a criminal record, he can be given a chance. He might become a good person. In such a circumstance, a chance can be given if God inspires you from within or if you think his tears are genuine. Such situations are rare, though. We should not encourage crime by forgiveness. Pardoning a criminal encourages crime. He must be punished. But if the Lord inspires you that a mistake was made on his end and he wants to improve, you can take up the case.

However, you should avoid a case if you know the person is proficient in crime. It should not be done just to earn money. You are a servant of the nation. With your testimony and words, an innocent person can be punished for life, and a guilty person can be freed. Do not make this mistake. Money is not progress; doing your duty well is progress. Falsehood is not progress; truthfulness is progress. It will keep your heart happy and calm. If you save innocent people, their blessings will make you prosperous. And if an innocent person gets punished, their anger will harm you.

God is present in everyone’s heart. If we commit sinful actions, God tries to stop us from within – however, it happens in a low voice. Punishing the criminal and freeing the innocent will bring divine happiness to you. To become happy and prosperous, we must give up unrighteousness and falsehood. You might not be able to accumulate a lot of wealth, but you will be happy. Unrighteous people should fear you; you should be known for being a truthful lawyer and not taking up fraud cases.

What To Do If A Lawyer Is Threatened Or Emotionally Blackmailed?

If family members of these criminals cry in front of you, it is just drama. You did not raise your child well, and now, when he has grown up and is committing crimes, you are trying to save him. Punishment is needed for correction. You don’t have to pity the criminals; you must pity the innocent with whom wrong conduct was committed. You must keep your heart kind towards the innocent and harsh towards the guilty, whether he cries, gives you money, or threatens you. We have God looking out for us if we are righteous. As long as you follow the truth, you should not be afraid of anyone; you should become completely fearless. In Ramcharitmanas, Goswami Tulsidas Ji says, who can harm one whose protector is lord Ram himself?

Siim Ki Chaap Sakai Kou Taasuu,
Bad Rakhavaar Ramaapati Jaasuu

Sri Ramcharitmanas

Every sword will turn into a garland. It will appear as an attack on you, but it will become a garland around the neck. Durvasa Rishi unnecessarily got offended; there was no crime on Ambrish Ji’s part. When he tried to take action, the Sudarshan Chakra immediately appeared. For you, the Sudarshan Chakra might not be visible; however, the Almighty will immediately stand inside or outside of you in some form or another. So be fearless; don’t be afraid of anyone’s threat. They will be dead, consumed by death; how can they threaten you?

Time is extremely powerful and destroys everyone. People with principles should not be afraid. Powerful people like Bhishma ji, Dronacharya ji, Kripacharya ji, Ashwathama, and Duryodhan were wiped out because of deceit. Pandavas suffered temporarily but later became the kings of the world. He who follows the truth may become saddened but will get victory and glory.

Is Dirty Money Worth It?

The desire for money will make you crazy. Sin as much as you want, as much unrighteousness as you want in life; what will be the result? For how many days will you be alive? If you deviate from your duty, what will you get? All the bank balances will remain back here on earth. The family will not keep your dead body for even 10-12 hours. They would use the same money and have you cremated. If you are truthful, the day you go in front of your master, you will hold your chest high. You will be happy in this world and the next. We all have to die someday; you will go roaring like a lion, at least.

God Makes His Devotees Fearless: Story Of Akbar And Madhukar Shah

Emperor Akbar came to Agra and saw that officials and kings from other kingdoms in his court wore tilak and kanthi beads around their necks. He announced if anyone came wearing tilak, he would beheaded. King Madhukar Shah was the King of Orchha. He thought I applied the Tilak of God, the master of the infinite universes, while Akbar was just an insignificant king of a country. So, should I remove the sign of servitude towards the king of the infinite universes because I am afraid of Akbar? I have to die someday, anyway.

He removed the upper body cloth, applied 12 big tilaks on his entire body and went to the court of Akbar. No one else had applied tilak because of the king’s order. Akbar asked, “Madhukar Shah, did you not listen to my order? He responded, “Yes, I heard it. You are the king of a country; this is the sign of my servitude towards the Lord of the infinite universes”. He took out the sword and said, “I will see who cuts off my throat, as long as there is strength in my arms, I will not let anyone take off my tilak”. He had the fearlessness of a lion because of his surrender to God.

Akbar immediately changed! He said, “Bravo, Madhukar Shah, this is what I wanted to see, who is actually loyal to Tilak and Kanthi; whatever you say, I shall award you”. He asked that no one in the Braj area of India be stopped from wearing Tilak or Kanthi, that there should be no hunting, and that no devotee should be disturbed there.

Live fearlessly, stay on the truth, and follow your duty. God takes care of you every time and everywhere.

A Guiding Light for Judges

Do not be tempted or fearful. Whatever witnesses or evidence are presented in front of you, you will deliver justice based on that. Keep God as your witness from within, praying, “Dear God, what can I decide? Please be seated in my intellect and make the decision.” And when you are done with your service, dedicate your work to the Lord. Whatever work you do, dedicate it to the feet of God; it will become a big worship.

When one gets the feeling of becoming the doer, there is a chance of committing an error. Maybe the accused is innocent; maybe the witnesses were wrong. He might get punished wrongly if we just act on the basis of evidence. If a wrong decision is made, karma also punishes you. One who encourages the wrong act, the doer of the wrong act, and the approver get equal punishment. 

If you surrender to God, it is His responsibility to be seated in your intellect and make decisions because He is present in everyone’s heart. You render a very special service to our nation because punishing the unrighteous and protecting the righteous souls is also one of God’s services.

paritrāṇāya sādhūnāṁ
vināśāya ca duṣkṛtām
dharma-saṁsthāpanārthāya
sambhavāmi yuge yuge

Bhagavad Gita 4.8

Here is an easy way to remember the Lord while doing your duty: When you go for service, say, “O Lord, I am starting the service”, and when you leave, say, “O Lord, whatever service I have done today, I dedicate it to you”. God in Bhagavad Gita says, Whatever you do, surrender it unto Me. You will be free from reactions, supreme bliss will come, and you will never repent.

yat karoṣi yad aśnāsi
yaj juhoṣi dadāsi yat
yat tapasyasi kaunteya
tat kuruṣva mad-arpaṇam

Bhagavad Gita 9.27

Answered by – Pujya Shri Hit Premanand Ji Maharaj

Original Video Of Shri Hit Premanand Ji Maharaj On Duties Of Lawyers