In 10 Years: Criminal Defense Lawyer by Mia

In 10 Years: Criminal Defense Lawyer by Mia - March 2025 Scholarship Essay

Criminal defense attorneys must defend individuals and organizations from criminal charges,
ensuring their clients receive unbiased treatment throughout the whole legal process. I believe everyone is entitled to a defense, especially to a lawyer, because the law is based on the idea that the case must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt, protecting individuals from being wrongfully accused and convicted of a crime. Today, the role of a defense attorney is essential in reducing the imbalance between the power of the government and its people – the guilty and the innocent. These attorneys represent the freedoms and rights of individuals, upholding the most important values written in our Constitution and embedded in the history of our nation. In 10 years, I see myself working as a criminal defense attorney. Although this occupation is controversial, I believe the role of a criminal defense attorney is structurally and symbolically important in representing the accused – the misunderstood, the unpopular, the outcasts – to counteract society and its popular will.
Growing up, I watched true crime, court cases, and law-related TV shows with my grandpa,
Lolo. In elementary school, I’d ask innocent questions with Criminal Minds playing in the
background. When I got old enough to understand the contents of the shows, my grandpa exposed me
to the complex situations in which many criminals are a product of their environment. With the
exposure to media and lessons from my grandpa, I learned quickly about the tragedy of wealth
disparities, corruption, and bias in our legal system. As a Filipino immigrant, Lolo pointed out the
socioeconomic disparities that cause these injustices, igniting my passion for working in the legal
system. While my parents were working nonstop as nurses to provide the best opportunities for my
brother and me, my grandparents were at home raising us and instilling in us the morals and values I
exercise today. These values which I still uphold to this day have led me to understand the importance of defending anybody and everybody, and I will use my education to do so. Once I use my education to become a criminal defense lawyer, I aim to use my position to evolve the field by fighting for
underrepresented communities, expanding access to legal representation for marginalized groups, and
developing punitive measures to accommodate the mentally ill.
Criminal law deals with the crimes and punishment of individuals who commit crimes, involving the government determining the punishment of an individual for an act. The government has the burden of proof to establish every element of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt. As a criminal defense lawyer, I would attempt to display a failure of proof, mistakes of law or facts, and justifications or excuses for a crime. Within this area of law, there are a plethora of challenges impacting the functioning and effectiveness of the justice system. Many public defenders and legal professionals are underfunded, leading to a lack of resources which weakens the defense. In addition, there’s much potential for bias and discrimination, including racial disparities affecting how defendants are treated in their policing and prosecution. Bias can also infiltrate juries, which are supposed to be impartial, but due to media coverage, the public perception of the case can sway the jury’s opinion before a trial.
Historically, criminal defense has made a significant impact on individual rights and freedoms.
The case that has made the biggest impression personally is the Miranda v. Arizona case, establishing
the Miranda warnings holding police accountable in informing suspects of their rights before
questioning them. Recently, I studied the Louisiana v. Batiste case that dealt with policing and Fourth Amendment rights. The defendant, Batiste, challenged a police search of his vehicle after a minor traffic violation, arguing that the search was unreasonable. This reinforced the Fourth Amendment protections, clarifying police authority in conducting searches. Criminal defense shapes true justice in the legal system, helping to continuously reform unjust aspects of policy, law, and its applications.
In my undergraduate education, I’m majoring in law & public policy and finance. I’m planning
on majoring in finance to build a background in business and economics to improve my understanding
of the business side of law and the economic factors that affect the justice system. I’m also planning on majoring in law & public policy which will provide me with the necessary logical, analytical, and social skills to pursue law school and enter the legal world. Not only will this major teach me valuable professional skills, but it will also help me understand our legal system and allow me to advocate for systematic change.
As the criminal defense branch of law grows, I hope to make a meaningful impact on the field.
I aspire to fight against bias in the justice system as well as expand representation for marginalized
groups. Being the first woman in my Filipino family to attend college in America, I’m committed to
becoming successful in taking care of them while working in our justice system to make our country a
more equitable place. Although my biggest inspiration and supporter, Lolo, isn’t here anymore to see
me achieve my goals of pursuing higher education, becoming a criminal defense attorney, and
reforming the justice system, I believe he’s supporting my goals from Heaven, which continues to
motivate me to complete my education and become a lawyer.