Introduction To Criminal Defence Law 101: "No witness no crime. No crime no witness!"

Wednesday, August 31, 2011By George Anastasia, Inquirer Staff Writer

He has represented celebrities such as Queen Latifah and Lil' Kim.
Other clients have included rap stars, gangsters, and a former soldier accused in the Abu Ghraib prisoner abuse scandal.
Now flamboyant Newark lawyer Paul Bergrin wants to take on perhaps the most important client in his career - himself.
Bergrin has asked for court permission to serve as his own defense attorney in a racketeering case in which he is charged with murder, conspiracy, drug dealing, prostitution, and witness intimidation.
The case is set to go to trial in October.
Bergrin's desire to represent himself was raised at a pretrial hearing Tuesday, but no final decision was made. Upset by his mother's death Friday, Bergrin asked U.S. District Judge William Martino to delay consideration of the matter until he could "think with a clear head," said Lawrence Lustberg, the lawyer currently representing Bergrin.
Lustberg said he expects Bergrin to follow through on his request for self-representation at a hearing set for September 12.
Bergrin, 55, is accused of turning his Park Place law practice into a criminal enterprise that worked with and for some of the major drug dealers in North Jersey.
One source described Bergrin as "house counsel" for several major players in the drug underworld.
"No witness, no crime" was his signature phrase, say prosecutors and investigators who contend the tough-talking defense lawyer routinely used witness intimidation and murder to silence those who might testify against his drug-kingpin clientele.
Jailed since his arrest in 2009, Bergrin could be sentenced to life if convicted.
Bergrin's request to serve as his own attorney was contained in a letter from Lustberg to Martino last week.
If Martino approves the request - legal experts say such requests are seldom denied -Lustberg could serve as "stand by" counsel, a common practice in cases where a defendant is granted permission to represent himself.
The move, while fraught with logistical and technical problems, sets the stage for what could be high courtroom drama.
Three former codefendants, including Bergrin's mistress and top criminal associate, his onetime law partner, and a drug kingpin whom he represented, have pleaded guilty and are cooperating with authorities.
As his own attorney, Bergrin would be able to cross-examine them and all other witnesses in the case.
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