The Value of Cultural Norms in Criminal Defense
Outstanding criminal defense examines more than just the statutory elements of a crime. The circumstances of how a criminal charge was brought upon an individual and the cultural issues surrounding it can have a huge impact on whether the requisite criminal intent was ever formed. For example, a person is charged with bribery, which most jurisdictions require the specific intent of intending to corrupt. However, in some cultures bribery is not viewed as corrupt and is actually a social norm. If the individual comes from a culture such as this, then he or she could not have formed the intent to corrupt in the way the prosecution claims.
A Diverse Firm With Key Insights
The firm's lead criminal defense lawyer, Dr. Demosthenes Lorandos, has won many cases due to his key insight into the cultural norms of a case. Being able to identify this issue has meant the difference between an individual going to jail for a number of years and being acquitted, especially in the area of white collar crimes due to cultural overtones in international law circumstances.
Our firm is especially in tune with sensitivity to cultural issues, as we are a diverse firm with team members from all over the world. We have staff members who are Mediterranean, Lebanese, Greek, Indian/Asian and Hispanic-American. We also have international capabilities, including a colleague office in India.
If your life is on the line, you don't want just any attorney. You want a criminal defense attorney who looks at every angle of a case, including cultural issues.
Call 734-637-7112 or e-mail the firm. Based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and Washington, D.C., we serve clients throughout the nation.
Cases Reflecting the Importance of Cultural Issues in Criminal Defense
Here are actual case examples that show the dire importance of recognizing cultural issues when fighting against criminal charges:
Thailand: An undergraduate student at the University of Michigan was dating a student from Japan. The cultural differences and interplay between Thai men and Japanese women were essential in explaining why the young man was not guilty of domestic violence.
Albania: A businessman from Albania traveled to New York and was charged with an immigration smuggling felony. However, his Eastern European business practices with respect to his employees and immigration were such that he was shown to not have formed the necessary criminal intent needed to be found guilty.
India: In an international bribery case, the typical way of doing business - exchanging gifts and pleasantries - done by businessmen in India/Asia was seen as a violation of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. However, due to the cultural norms of doing business in this culture, a successful argument was made that the required specific intent did not exist in order to hold a conviction.
Call Our Office Today
Call 734-637-7112 or e-mail the firm to schedule your consultation with attorney & psychologist Demosthenes Lorandos today. We return all phone calls promptly.
