FROM THE BENCH TO THE WITNESS STAND
by
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Legal education is sophist in nature, as opposed to education in the fields of medicine, engineering, nursing, and teaching, among others. Lawyers are not taught to search for the truth, but to bend or twist the truth of the facts to benefit their clients. They are not required to take courses in science, psychology, psychiatry, or human behavior. A bachelor’s degree in any discipline is their only academic requirement. Lawyers do not have the last say about their cases; in any case, there is a winner and a loser and the decision falls exclusively on the judge.
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About the Book
When a renowned Puerto Rican surgeon is slapped with a malpractice suit out of nowhere that defies all trustworthy existing scientific knowledge, he must face the absurdity and injustice of all levels of the local courts up to the P.R. Supreme Court, and later advance to Appellate and Supreme Courts of the U.S. He describes his insights into the failures of the system toward common citizens and the backroom deals that define our legal practices: the faulty, highly politicized selection of judges and justices; deficient preparation and evaluation of lawyers and, above all, the perceived absolute immunity and impunity of judges who answer to no one for their failures in applying the law. It is a thought-provoking read that will challenge the notion that the legal system exists to protect the rights of all citizens.
About the Author
Dr. Enrique Vázquez-Quintana is a native son of Puerto Rico. He was born in the city of Ponce on October 21, 1937, and spent his childhood and adolescence in the nearby town of Guayanilla. There he graduated from high school in 1955, then moved to San Juan, where he attended the University of Puerto Rico and obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in 1958. He went on to study medicine at the University of Puerto School of Medicine and earned his medical degree in 1962; that same year entered the internship program at the University Hospital, and in 1968 completed his training in General Surgery. Dr. Vázquez-Quintana was an officer of the U.S. Army from 1968 to 1970, and was stationed as a surgeon in Vietnam. Upon his return, and until 1998, he joined the faculty of the Surgery Department at the University of Puerto Rico’s School of Medicine, which he chaired from 1983 to 1989. He is a diplomate of the American Board of Surgery. The author is known for a host of scientific articles and publications. A prolific writer of fiction and non-fiction in the field of Island politics and related national topics. His books include: My Friend, the Governor, The Great Deception, A Dialogue in Limbo Between Luis Muñoz Marín and Pedro Albizu-Campos, The Candidate, Who Are You? and Health Care Services in Puerto Rico Pre and Post Guillermo Arbona and Post the Reform of 1994. Also, he was the producer of the movie Who are you?, based on the book written by him. Dr. Vázquez-Quintana served as Puerto Rico’s Secretary of Health from January 3 to September 15, 1993.