For the Defense - Vol. 8, Issue 4 - 4

OPENING
STATEMENT
Patrick A. Casey, PACDL President
s the holidays approach, it is important to recognize
those people and institutions that bring peace and
security to us, our families, and communities. Events
of the past year such as challenges to our electoral system and
global battles to establish or maintain democratic societies,
highlight the importance of protecting individual freedom-
one person at a time. The criminal defense advocate is a pillar
to an open society.
Americans do not take freedom for granted. We are, however,
accustomed to our elections occurring like the change of
seasons, uninterrupted. Recent attacks on our electoral system
raise feelings of insecurity that did not previously exist. The
importance of an open democracy, a constitutional government,
and an independent judiciary is more important today than ever.
The world has suffered tremendous upheaval and loss of life
in the last year. A society where its form of government does not
allow for ventilation of opposing ideas or open protests by its
population is more prone to internal repression and belligerence
toward its neighbors. Countries which do not provide a system
of defense for the common citizen against police of the state
invite an unjust society. For example, Russia went from-in the
1990s-a nation breaking away from 70 years of a totalitarian
society towards an open democracy; yet, sadly, it slid backward
into an authoritarian state. Many post-Soviet satellite countries
have struggled and scrapped to make democracy work. The cost
of establishing (or preserving) a democracy, whether in Eastern
Europe or in the Middle East, comes with a disturbingly high
sacrifice.
A
The Sixth Amendment never sleeps. Criminal defense lawyers
across this country don't allow it. Every day we are keeping
the government honest, exercising the right to trial, and testing
the evidence before the sovereign takes a citizen's freedom. The
" assistance of counsel " gives life to the First Amendment right
to free speech, the Fourth Amendment protection for individual
privacy, the Fifth Amendment right to due process and right
not to be a witness against oneself upon the demand of the
government.
Pennsylvania Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers is a
group of talented people dedicated to the pursuit of freedom.
The logic and power of the U.S. Constitution is, on balance, a
force of good that serves as the ultimate protection for society.
PACDL is a forum of goodwill where we reinforce and support
each other as we test the powers of the constitution on behalf
of the accused. The aggregate benefit of the participation of
many of our 900 members is a healthy and vibrant organization
with a listserv, a quarterly magazine, advocacy on public policy,
continuing education specialized to our needs, and many other
services. Ultimately, we are a group of friends willing to help
each other. " Friendship improves happiness, by doubling joys,
and dividing our grief. " Marcus Cicero. PACDL helps double the
joys and divides the grief.
Thank you for giving your time, talent, and treasure to this
remarkable organization. Peace to you and your family.
4 For The Defense l Vol. 8, Issue 4
For the Defense - Vol. 8, Issue 4

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of For the Defense - Vol. 8, Issue 4
