University of Virginia Library

Foreman Expresses Need
For Fair Trial By Law

By Barry Levine
Cavalier Daily Staff Writer

"You don't necessarily get 'right' by
the mere fact that you go to the
courthouse," famed trial lawyer Percy
Foreman told the Student Legal Forum
Friday night. "You get what you can take
away from the other side."

Speaking before a crowd of
approximately 400 people, the attorney
who defended Jack Ruby and James Earl
Ray described his views on representing
clients in well-publicized cases.

"A defense attorney is not a judge," he said.
"The office of defense attorney is to see that
his client gets a fair trial according to law.
There are as many crimes committed in the
name of the state or the Federal government by
its minions. . . .as there are committed
offenders" against a statute.

"A defense lawyer does not defend crime,'
he continued. "He may not approve of
anything his client has ever done, but it's his
duty to see that the client, if tried, is tried by
law."

Mr. Foreman gave a brief speech before
going into a question and answer period. When
asked if his years as a prosecutor helped him
become a better trial lawyer, he replied that he
was "probably the worst prosecutor this
country ever had."

"I pull no punches." he added. "I have
violated many laws in my office as prosecutor. I
have told many a witness 'You made this
statement at the police station. If you don't
testify to it, I'm going to put you in the
penitentiary for seven years. Do you Hear?'
None of which I would do again."

In reply to a question concerning his recent
appearance with William Kunstler, attorney for
the Chicago Seven. Mr. Foreman said that he
thought Mr. Kunstler was "a Communist.'

"I told him [Mr. Kunstler] that he had
thought about his Chicago Seven trial so much
that he was obsessed, which was the kindest
way of saying 'I think you're nuts,' " he said.

One of the highest paid criminal lawyers in
the country. Mr. Foreman reportedly receives a
standard $100,000 in payment for his services
in a murder trial.

Asked several times whether he felt that
such high payment prohibits poorer clients
from obtaining his services, he replied that he
often accepts a case or gives legal advice
without requesting payment.

"My basis for acceptance of a case is the
challenge of the case," he said. "There was a
time when the amount of money persuaded me,
but I have not turned down a case since 1950,
if I would otherwise have accepted it, because
of money."

Photo By Charley Sands

Trial Lawyer Percy Foreman

Mr. Foreman Addressed 400 Gathered At Student Legal Forum Meeting.