Life — January 6, 1921 — page 1: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This is a "Lawyers' Number" issue of *Life* from January 6, 1921. The cover depicts a man sitting in a chair with an exaggerated, guilty or evasive expression. The caption reads: "By Advice of Counsel. 'I refuse to answer on the ground that it might incriminate or degrade me.'" The satire targets the legal defense of remaining silent to avoid self-incrimination—specifically, invoking Fifth Amendment protections. The cartoon suggests that criminals or guilty parties hide behind their lawyers' advice rather than face justice directly. The man's uncomfortable posture and expression imply dishonesty. The satire critiques how legal counsel enables evasion of accountability, a common concern during the post-WWI era when organized crime and corruption were rising topics of public debate.