Purpose of Meeting
The right to an attorney is a cherished right, but many of us do not know where the right comes from or all that it includes. This presentation traces the evolution of the right to counsel, from its early roots in English law to the landmark Supreme Court case Scott v. Illinois, decided in 1979. In addition to offering a primer on the right to counsel, Donelson aims to help Illinoisans understand the controversies surrounding this right. He connects early English opposition to the right to counsel with current debates over whether the wealthy have an unfair advantage in the justice system due to superior legal representation. Additionally, the presentation uses the Scott case to discuss Illinois’s critical role in shaping federal law regarding who is entitled to a lawyer.
Dr. Raff Donelson is Professor of Law and Philosophy at Illinois Tech, with his primary appointment at the Chicago-Kent College of Law, where he also serves as the Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs. He holds a courtesy appointment in Philosophy in the Lewis College of Science and Letters. A dedicated teacher and interdisciplinary scholar, Dr. Donelson currently teaches courses in criminal law, constitutional law, and legal theory, but in years past, he taught courses on moral and political thought and on the philosophy of religion. His doctrinal research centers on police, criminal suspects, and the plight of incarcerated persons. His other research explores more philosophical questions about the foundations of ethics, the American pragmatist tradition, and the nature of law. Before joining Illinois Tech as a tenured professor, Donelson held tenure-track appointments at Penn State and Louisiana State University. He holds a PhD in Philosophy and a JD from Northwestern University, an MA from the University of Chicago, and a BA from Williams College. Beyond the university, Donelson is a coordinator and founding member of the Policing, Policy, and Philosophy Initiative (3PI).
Hosted by the non-profit, Untold Histories, Mary Frances, President, as part of a black history lecture series. Funded by Illinois Humanities.