Defending Rape Cases as a Feminist

A call to reassess America’s criminal justice methods surrounding sexual assault

The incident began as “normal teenage behavior,” concluded the probation report in my recent case. My client, a 17-year-old, was charged and convicted of California Penal Code Section 269, subdivision (a)(2): rape by force, violence, duress, menace, or fear. I was appointed to represent him on appeal.

My friends were shocked to hear that I — a devout feminist and low-key misandrist — was representing a convicted rapist. They were even more surprised to learn that I was able to do so without feeling my feminism compromised.

“So, he’s innocent?” they’d ask.

“No,” I’d say. (My clients are rarely innocent.)

Despite the masses having begun to cling fanatically to the label “feminist” in the past year, this version of feminism — one that cherishes those corny pink pussy hats and hails Emma Watson as its leader — is not one with which I’m particularly excited to associate. The feminism of 2017 involves “Future Is Female” T-shirts and “Feminist” throw pillows from Urban Outfitters. Feminism has been co-opted by capitalism, and capitalism has a powerful ability to eviscerate nuance. The feminism of 2017 is black and white. It points fingers and screams moral…