As an attorney for the [[American Civil Liberties Union]], Ross fought for leniency for a teenager who was convicted for the brutal sexual assault and rape of a neighbor.<ref>[https://freebeacon.com/politics/deborah-ross-called-leniency-assailant-heinous-rape-case/ Deborah Ross Called for Leniency for Assailant in ‘Heinous’ Rape Case] '''(Warning: Graphic descriptions)'''</ref> She unsuccessfully argued for the defendant to be given rehabilitation and even privately argued that there was a "sympathetic" case for the heinous teenager, asserting that trying him in an adult court would lack "fundamental fairness".<ref>[https://freebeacon.com/politics/deborah-ross-viewed-brutal-rape-sympathetic-case-bring-supreme-court/ Deborah Ross Viewed Brutal Rape as ‘Sympathetic’ Case to Bring to Supreme Court] '''(Warning: Graphic description)'''</ref> | As an attorney for the [[American Civil Liberties Union]], Ross fought for leniency for a teenager who was convicted for the brutal sexual assault and rape of a neighbor.<ref>[https://freebeacon.com/politics/deborah-ross-called-leniency-assailant-heinous-rape-case/ Deborah Ross Called for Leniency for Assailant in ‘Heinous’ Rape Case] '''(Warning: Graphic descriptions)'''</ref> She unsuccessfully argued for the defendant to be given rehabilitation and even privately argued that there was a "sympathetic" case for the heinous teenager, asserting that trying him in an adult court would lack "fundamental fairness".<ref>[https://freebeacon.com/politics/deborah-ross-viewed-brutal-rape-sympathetic-case-bring-supreme-court/ Deborah Ross Viewed Brutal Rape as ‘Sympathetic’ Case to Bring to Supreme Court] '''(Warning: Graphic description)'''</ref> |