Justice, Law Schools

Don't Go To Law School Because You Think Lawyers Can Stop Police Shootings

Instead, consider other careers that can accomplish the same goals at a lower price.

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When I first heard about the acquittal of the police officer who killed Philando Castile, to be honest, I didn’t think much of it. It seemed like one of the many tragic shootings that has been making national news lately. I had hoped this would be a teachable moment for everyone, some reforms would be implemented, and eventually go away.

And then I saw the video released a few days after the verdict. I saw Castile getting pulled over because of nonfunctional brake lights. When the officer asked for his license and registration, Castile calmly tells him that he has a firearm. The officer then loses his cool and shoots Castile in front of his family. I don’t know what additional evidence the jury saw that convinced them to acquit the officer. But based on the video alone, it was very difficult for me to find a reason for the officer to shoot Castile other than him being afraid of a black man.

Whenever stories of unjustified police shootings appear on the news, I see the usual activist commentators angrily demanding justice and greater accountability. But this time, they weren’t angry. Instead, they were dumbfounded and heartbroken to see an acquittal when it should have been a slam-dunk conviction.

While I don’t want to add my thoughts to the mix, I’ll say this much. I know that if I was in Castile’s shoes and acted as calmly as he did, I would not be shot. The police officer knows that if he shot and killed me in the exact same circumstances, the prosecutor is likely to charge him with murder and a jury is just as likely to convict.

As I was reading the news articles and commentary covering the verdict, I read the reader comments. I also checked comments on social media. Sure enough, there were some young, angry idealists who wanted to be lawyers so they can hold the bad cops accountable. And some of them planned to do this by going to a law school that is very likely to leave them unemployed or underemployed with massive student loan debt.

I warned activists not to go to law school because they don’t have to be lawyers to change the status quo. While lawyers do play an important part in keeping police officers honest, they get involved after the damage is done. Lawyers cannot bring people back from the dead.

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To the young 0L Padawan, you must be aware that right now, police will continue to do what they do because they would rather be judged by 12 rather than be carried by six. Also, most juries will acquit police officers when they argue the “IT’S COMING RIGHT FOR US!” defense in court. So what makes you think you will get different results? Do you have a secret argument that can convince juries better than experienced prosecutors?

Maybe you’re not interested in sending murdering cops to prison. You want to sue them in civil court and get a seven-figure settlement or verdict for their families. Along with a large contingency cut for yourself, of course. The thing about that is that when you see one of these cases on the news, unless you personally know the victims or their families, you’re going to have to compete with a number of other attorneys. This means two things. First, you have to convince the potential client that you not just competent, but are the best. And second, you may have to reduce your contingency fee if the potential client wants a bidding war between firms.

So before you decide to invest three years of your life and a small fortune for law school, I strongly suggest considering other careers that can accomplish the same goals at a lower price.

First, consider working in law enforcement. There seems to be a shortage of police officers in many cities. But don’t just be any police officer. Be the one that uses common sense and empathy instead of shooting first and asking questions later. Also, train officers to de-escalate hostile situations (as Utah did) instead of using excessive force. Finally, be the whistleblower that isn’t afraid to call out the corrupt ones instead of maintaining the “Blue Wall Of Silence.” (I realize this is easier said than done because being a police officer is a dangerous job and some people would prefer to do desk work instead.)

Another career to consider is teaching. Teachers must ensure that their students not only respect law enforcement officers but also treat everyone equally. Teachers are in the best position to make sure that young people do not grow up with implicit biases.

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The Castile verdict shows that even with polite behavior, video evidence, and a criminal indictment, police officers will continue to be given the benefit of the doubt in court. To minimize future unjustified shootings, we need better trained police officers and a society that will treat everyone equally.

Shannon Achimalbe was a former solo practitioner for five years before deciding to sell out and get back on the corporate ladder. Shannon can be reached by email at sachimalbe@excite.com and via Twitter: @ShanonAchimalbe.

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