I don't really have a problem...
...with you helping them out, or their lawyer suggesting they dress smart, etc., but I do have a problem with Magistrates being so effing daft that their judgements are heavily based on whether you're wearing a tie or not. As if it makes any difference...
(SnowyTheWereRabbit the Leporid from Hell, Sun 20 Jun 2010, 13:55, 2 replies)

^^this.
I think that it is very important that people have good legal representarion regardless of income (or lack of). However, I worry about magistrates who can be fooled by cheap tricks.
Also, as I have mentioned before, I assume anyone in a suit is a wanker until proven otherwise (I have to wear a suit to work).
(Me, I'm not... in any way intoxicated, Sun 20 Jun 2010, 14:10, closed)

My current theory
about suits is that they are worn primarily to make people look competent. People who actually are competent don't need to where them. In some areas, I've noticed that the better a person is at their job, the more casually they dress.
( Sextant goes to him is emotionally erect, on this day, Sun 20 Jun 2010, 14:18, closed)

The Rules

Those that can, do.

Those that can't, wear suits and pretend.

Cheers
( Legless Mister Stabby - shanks for the memory, Sun 20 Jun 2010, 15:16, closed)

I don't see how you can say
that the suit made any difference.

One of my close relatives has been a magistrate for over 20 years, and as far as I can tell, the attitude is that they prefer not to send people down unless they are persistent and/or unrepentant offenders.

What they choose to wear makes no diffierence - she has jailed/refered to crown court just as many suit wearing oiks as she has sent off track suit wearing chavs with a flea in their ear.

It probably feels good to believe it has an influence, because it suggests the magistrates are stupid. But in 99% of cases, I bet it doesn't.
( Not Pineapple anymore, Mon 21 Jun 2010, 10:19, closed)