Many folks have bad lawyer stories in which emptying your bank account was the priority while providing lackluster, if not downright lousy, legal service. Sadly, that type of scenario plays out every day in Orange County's courthouses. There are, however, dedicated, professional lawyers here, and easily one of the best is Scott L. Sanders, an assistant public defender. A tireless worker and crafty courtroom strategist known to outfox prosecutors, Sanders rightly treats his clients as if their lives depend on him—which is appropriate, given many of them face life-in-prison punishments or the death penalty. If he ever hangs a private-practice shingle, he'll deservedly command top dollar.
