One of the most frequent questions criminal defense attorneys face from clients, friends, and the public is simple yet loaded: “How can you represent someone accused of a crime?”

 

In Episode 11 of the Texas Lawyer Podcast, I sat down with my long-time friend, Of Counsel partner, and presiding municipal judge, Farren Sheehan, to tackle this very question. Farren’s perspective, shaped by her years as a public defender in Dallas County and now on the municipal bench in Pflugerville and Bee Cave, offers a powerful reminder of what criminal defense work is truly about.

 

Seeing Beyond Black and White

When attorneys step into public defense, they quickly realize the justice system rarely operates in stark black and white. Working with individuals facing everything from minor misdemeanors to major felonies reveals how close to the edge so many people live. For many clients, a single bad decision or stroke of misfortune can quickly spiral into losing a job, an apartment, or family stability. Navigating these cases requires meeting people with empathy, recognizing their humanity, and understanding the complex circumstances that brought them into the courtroom.

 

Defending the Constitution, Not Just the Allegation

When a defense attorney advocates for a client, they are not endorsing the alleged conduct. Instead, they are performing a fundamental constitutional duty: holding the government accountable to its legal obligations.

 

Our justice system relies on core constitutional safeguards:

• Presumption of Innocence: Every person accused of a crime is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
• Burden of Proof: The state bears the heavy burden of proving every element of an offense beyond a reasonable doubt.
• Government & Police Accountability: Defense attorneys ensure that law enforcement and prosecutors adhere strictly to constitutional standards and proper procedure.

By standing up for one individual’s constitutional protections, defense attorneys preserve those exact same safeguards for every single citizen. If the government is allowed to bypass the rules for one person, it compromises everyone’s civil liberties.

 

Upholding Rights at Every Level of the Bench

That commitment to constitutional integrity doesn’t end when an attorney becomes a judge. On the municipal bench in Pflugerville and Bee Cave, Judge Sheehan opens every judicial session by thoroughly reviewing defendants’ constitutional rights. Even in municipal courts that deal primarily with Class C misdemeanors and traffic tickets, ensuring every individual understands their right to a fair trial—rather than feeling pressured to plead guilty and pay a fine—reaffirms public trust and keeps fairness at the heart of our legal system.

 

To hear our complete conversation on criminal defense, municipal courts, and legal ethics, watch: