Christian Doctrine & Criminal Defense
How Can You Defend Criminals?
Answer:
The first principle upon which all criminal defense is founded is that we are all God's children. Every person who is arrested and charged with a crime is one of God's children. God loves his children. And God has not forgotten about any one of them.
Jesus Christ associated with lepers, adulterers, prostitutes, thieves, and tax collectors. These people were outcasts: sinners and undesirables. Jesus Christ loved and defended these people because they were God's children.
The second principle upon which criminal defense is based is that only God can judge men. One of the best sayings in criminal defense goes, "God doesn't have just the police report. He's got the whole file." The Bible likewise dictates that only God can judge men, and provides the primary objection to the death penalty: "Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” Romans 12:19-21.
The third principle of criminal defense is that everyone makes mistakes. The Bible is replete with scripture supporting this proposition: "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us." 1 John 1:8; "Let he who is without sin cast the first stone." John 8:7.
On Judging those Accused of a Criminal Offense
1 Matthew 7:1-5 1 "Judge not, that you be not judged. 2 "For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. 3 "And why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? 4 "Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me remove the speck from your eye'; and look, a plank is in your own eye? 5 "Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck form your brother's eye." - The Words of Jesus Christ |
Forgiveness after Conviction
Isaiah 1:18 18 "Come now, and let us reason together," says the Lord, "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool." |
1 John 1:7-9 7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. 8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. |
Prayer for Prisoners (Download printable copy)
| Jesus, united with the Father and the Holy Spirit, give us your compassion for those in prison. Mend in mercy the broken in mind and memory. Soften the hard of heart, the captives of anger. Free the innocent; parole the trustworthy. Awaken the repentance that restores hope. May prisoners’ families persevere in their love. Jesus, heal the victims of crime. They live with the scars. Lift to eternal peace those who die. Grant victims’ families the forgiveness that heals. Give wisdom to lawmakers and to those who judge. Instill prudence and patience in those who guard. Make those in prison ministry bearers of our light, for all of us are in need of your mercy! Amen. Copyright, Paulist National Catholic Evangelization Association |
"...I was in prison, and you visited me."
Matthew 25:36
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