Criminal Defense Attorneys Are in Shock of Dharun Ravi’s Convictions |

Criminal Defense Attorneys Are in Shock of Dharun Ravi’s Convictions

Movies like “The Devil’s Advocate” promote the common misconception that criminal defense attorneys try to help people get away with heinous crimes like murder, and much worse. But criminal defense lawyers carry a heavy burden, as they are the sole advocates for those facing criminal charges that could land them behind bars or in an execution chamber.

Anyone indicted for a criminal charge in the United States is supposedly presumed innocent until proven guilty. This is to protect citizens (and non-citizens but that’s a different topic for another day) from being falsely imprisoned as people were for eons past. Furthermore, jurors are asked to err on the side of caution with their verdict decisions, setting a defendant free if there is any reasonable doubt of their innocence. Tyler Clementi already sacrificed his own life; tragically incapable of coping with his family, roommate, and society’s disapproving view of his sexual orientation. Dharun Ravi was slaughtered at the altar like a sacrificial lamb by prosecuting attorneys who were eager to scapegoat him as the embodiment of all that is trendily evil.

The 19 year old Rutgers freshman was convicted of six charges: bias intimidation, witness tampering, invasion of privacy, tampering with physical evidence, and hindering prosecution. Despite living in the United States his entire life, Ravi faces deportation and a sentence of up to 10 years in prison.

Dharun Ravi is not a saint by any means. He violated his roommate’s privacy, and is clearly guilty of invasion of privacy by his own admission. However, Ravi claims henever felt ill will toward gays, and that he has many friends who are gay. The bias intimidation (bullying) verdict came as a shock to Ravi, who claims he never tried to intimidate or harm Clementi. He didn’t take a plea deal, expecting to be found innocent of all but the invasion of privacy charge. He refused to plead guilty to bias intimidation as part of the agreement in the plea deal and now faces hard time in the big house. His criminal defense lawyers looked appalled as the verdicts were read to the court, and Ravi stood as though paralyzed from shock.
The guilty verdicts in the Dharun Ravi case shocked many people, while others felt it was a just ending to the case. Still others believe Ravi should face more severe charges because they believe he was the direct cause of his roommate’s suicide.

Dharun Ravi made many mistakes and is guilty of being a bad roommate, exploiting Clementi’s sexual orientation, and failing to communicate with a peer that was troubled and shy. His arrogance during the proceedings of the hearings probably helped jurors justify the guilty verdicts, as many longed for closure and martyrdom in this highly publicized case.

Dharun Ravi’s criminal defense attorneys could not save him from the ten years in prison he now faces. A jury of his peers already decided his fate, and down the drain goes another young man’s future.

Our hearts go out to Tyler Clementi’s friends and family, who are suffering unimaginable pain from his untimely death. Bullying someone because of their sexual orientation, race, religion, or culture is inexcusable and legislation continues to develop for victims of bias intimidation.
If you are in need of a Family Lawyer in Houston, call Frank E. Mann or visit http://www.mannfamilylaw.com for help with your case.