We often discuss the dilemma of clients in deciding whether to smile and appear callous on mug shot or not to smile and look guilty. Most people try to thread the needle with a neutral expression. Texas teacher Sarah Fowlkes went for the full smile option and has triggered a backlash of people saying that she cared little about her charge of having relations with a 17-year old student at Lockhart High School.
Fowlkes, 26, was an anatomy and physiology teacher at the high school. She is charged with engaging in “sexual contact with the intent to arouse or gratify the sexual desire” of the student.
Her lawyer tried to defuse the tension by saying that she was smiling because she knows that she is innocent.
What do you think? Would you encourage a client to smile for their mug shot?
