It’s the question criminal defense lawyers get asked regularly, by friends, family members, strangers on the train, etc.

The Houston Chronicle – or should I say reporter Mary Flood? – asked Mark Bennett [1] “The Question” in this morning’s paper [2]:

Q: What do you tell folks who ask how you can defend people accused of crimes?

A: How could I not? It's what I'm called to do.

People think if someone committed...