Question

Defendants who can afford expensive private defense lawyers have a lower conviction rate than those who rely on court-appointed public defenders. This explains why criminals who commit lucrative crimes like embezzlement or insider trading are more successful at avoiding conviction than are street criminals. The explanation offered above would be more persuasive if which one of the following were true? (A) Many street crimes, such as drug dealing, are extremely lucrative and those committing them can afford expensive private lawyers. (B) Most prosecutors are not competent to handle cases involving highly technical financial evidence and have more success in prosecuting cases of robbery or simple assault. (C) The number of criminals convicted of street crimes is far greater than the number of criminals convicted of embezzlement or insider trading. (D) The percentage of defendants who actually committed the crimes of which they are accused is no greater for publicly defended than for privately defended defendants. (E) Juries, out of sympathy for the victims of crimes, are much more likely to convict defendants accused of violent crimes than they are to convict defendants accused of "victimless" crimes or crimes against property.

Short answer

B: Prosecutors' incompetence in technical cases makes the argument more persuasive.

Step-by-step solution

Understanding the Argument

The argument suggests that defendants who can afford private defense lawyers, often due to committing lucrative crimes, have a lower conviction rate than those who rely on public defenders. This contributes to the perceived success of criminals involved in white-collar crimes over street crimes.

Identifying the Core Reason

The core reason provided in the argument is the ability to afford expensive private lawyers. The explanation would be more persuasive if it included other factors that directly relate to the success of private lawyers over public defenders in avoiding convictions.

Analyzing the Choices: Choice A

Choice A suggests that many street crimes are lucrative, allowing access to private lawyers. If true, this weakens the argument as it implies that the ability to hire good lawyers doesn't fully explain conviction rates, since some lucrative street criminals still get convicted.

Analyzing the Choices: Choice B

Choice B proposes that prosecutors struggle with technical financial evidence. If prosecutors are less competent in such cases, this complements the argument that wealthy defendants face lower conviction rates because their cases are harder to prosecute, making the argument more persuasive.

Analyzing the Choices: Choice C

Choice C states that more street crime convictions occur than for white-collar crime, but this focuses on raw numbers, not the effectiveness of the defense, and sidesteps the reason for lower conviction rates for wealthy defendants.

Analyzing the Choices: Choice D

Choice D claims that the actual guilt rate is the same for publicly and privately defended defendants. This is relevant, as it supports the argument if guilt is equal but conviction rates differ, highlighting lawyer effectiveness.

Analyzing the Choices: Choice E

Choice E addresses jury sympathy, which is a separate issue from legal defense. While potentially true, it doesn't strengthen the argument linking wealth and lawyer effectiveness.

Choosing the Best Explanation

Choice B best supports the argument because it highlights prosecutorial weaknesses in handling the sophisticated defenses employed in lucrative crime cases, thus aligning with the explanation that wealthier defendants achieve better outcomes due to the complexity of their cases.

Key concepts

Defense Lawyers

Defense lawyers play a crucial role in the legal system by representing individuals accused of crimes. They work to ensure that their client's legal rights are protected and strive to achieve the best possible outcome. A defendant with a competent and experienced lawyer can navigate the complexities of the legal process more effectively.
Private defense lawyers often have more resources and time to dedicate to their cases compared to public defenders. They might be able to hire expert witnesses, conduct thorough investigations, and develop sophisticated legal strategies.

• Represent clients in court
• Provide legal counsel and guidance
• Prepare legal strategies and defenses

The financial ability to hire a private lawyer can significantly impact the trial's outcome, as seen in white-collar cases where defendants usually afford expensive legal representation, contributing to lower conviction rates.

Public Defenders

Public defenders are attorneys provided by the state to represent defendants who cannot afford to hire a private lawyer. Although they are often skilled and dedicated professionals, public defenders typically handle high caseloads, which can limit the time and resources available for each client.
This situation can impact their ability to mount comprehensive defense strategies as extensive as their private counterparts. Despite these challenges, public defenders are crucial in the justice system, ensuring that even those lacking financial resources have legal representation. They help maintain the right to a fair trial regardless of an individual's economic status.

• Represent clients unable to afford private attorneys
• Manage high volume caseloads
• Strive to protect clients' rights and achieve just outcomes

Conviction Rates

Conviction rates refer to the percentage of criminal cases that result in a guilty verdict. Several factors influence these rates, including the skill and resources of the defense lawyer. Defendants with skilled private attorneys often have lower conviction rates compared to those with public defenders.
This difference is partly because private defense lawyers can devote more time and resources to each case, potentially identifying weaknesses in the prosecution's evidence or strategy. However, conviction rates can also be influenced by other factors like the nature of the crime, jury perceptions, and, occasionally, prosecutorial competencies.

• Influenced by the type of legal defense
• Affected by nature and complexity of crime
• Jury biases can also play a role

Prosecutorial Competence

Prosecutorial competence is crucial in ensuring that justice is served. It involves the prosecutor's ability to build strong cases, present evidence effectively, and navigate legal challenges during a trial. The competence level can considerably affect the trial's outcome, especially in complex cases like those involving financial crimes.
Sometimes, cases involving technical financial evidence, like embezzlement or insider trading, can be challenging for prosecutors. Their ability to understand and convey complex information is critical in achieving convictions. A lack of competence in these areas can lead to lower conviction rates, irrespective of the defense strategy employed.

• Involves building and presenting strong cases
• Crucial for handling complex and technical trials
• Directly impacts conviction rates and legal outcomes