A recent conversation with a lawyer got me thinking. In criminal court, there is a prosecutor, who represents the side that is accusing a person of a crime, and there is the defense attorney, who defends the person who has been accused of the crime. The prosecutor is trying to prove the guilt of the party accused of whatever charges that have been brought against them, while the defense attorney is trying to prove them innocent.
This lawyer I was speaking with was visibly excited as she told me that the day prior, while defending her client at trial, she was able to break down the prosecution’s expert witness. She said that even before questioning him, he had made contradictory statements and basically gave testimony that supported her client’s claims of being innocent of the charges. As she cross-examined him, he dug himself even deeper, making it very clear to everyone present, the judge most importantly, that the charges were unwarranted, and that her client was innocent.
She told me that she loves that more than anything–when their “strategy” works out, and when she can “break down” the prosecution’s expert witnesses. As we spoke, it dawned on me that what she loves is getting to the truth. When she accepts a client, she undoubtedly believes that the client is innocent. Her mission then becomes presenting enough evidence to bring this truth to light. She must also counter any evidence that the opposing lawyer presents, as if her client is truly innocent, and that that other evidence must be invalid, misleading, or faulty.
Ideally, at the end of a trial, all of the evidence (testimony, time-lines, expert witnesses, exhibits, etc.) should bring out the truth. If someone accuses another of a crime, and that person did in fact commit that crime, the evidence should support it, and a proper penalty should be imposed on the defendant. On the other hand, if there are other facts and contradictory information showing that the defendant could not have committed the crime, thus proving that the charges against him or her are in error, then that person goes free. The point of the trial is to get to the truth. After all, we want criminals to get prosecuted, and we want innocent people to go free. And we certainly do not want criminals to go free or innocent people to be punished.
If this lawyer friend of mine came to realize through the process of the trial, based on all the facts, that her client was guilty, she would have to accept that. Her job was to defend the client, but her ultimate job was to help get to the truth. Obviously, lawyers can manipulate strategy and questions in an effort to get the result that they want, thus giving a judge or jury a false impression of the facts regarding a case. But the point of the questioning and cross-examining of any and all witnesses and/or expert witnesses is to get to the truth. And the whole point of any court case is to review all the facts, circumstances, and details involved in an effort to find out the truth surrounding the case.
The point that I am getting at is that your goal in any quest should be to get to the truth. Our beliefs and perceptions are shaped by the life we’ve lived, our families, our friends, the environment in which we were raised, and our experiences. Once we accept a certain belief, we tend to dig in, push hard, and make every effort possible to defend that belief. It becomes very easy to argue what we believe, forgetting to strive for the truth.
I believe one of the very best attributes one could have is the commitment to find the truth in all areas of life. I feel this has been exceptionally helpful in my life. It isn’t easy, requires discipline, and can be very humbling at times, but what is more important than striving for truth?
One thing that I have found very helpful for myself is to look at things from the opposite point of view. Whatever it is, I try to see it from the other side, and will even try to argue against myself. This helps me uncover the truth, which is ultimately what I want. Whether it is a disagreement with my wife, a certain act in parenting, a business decision, or a recommendation to a patient that contradicts what another doctor has prescribed, I try to flip my view to the opposite side to see if my beliefs and actions are the best and the truest.
Think about some of your strongest held beliefs. Do you argue to be right or to find the truth? No matter how good your argument is, the truth is the truth. Be careful not to merely defend your beliefs, but to seek what is true. Because as we have all heard… the truth will set you free!
