Criciúma Councilman sparks outrage with remarks on lawyers

During a session of the Criciúma City Council in Santa Catarina, Councilman Amaral Bittencourt (PSD) sparked outrage by claiming that more than 50% of lawyers in Brazil study specifically to ‘rob the poor’.

The comments were made while Bittencourt was arguing for the dismissal of Bill No. 77/2026, which would have required the mandatory disclosure of resumes for individuals holding commissioned positions in public administration. Bittencourt alleged that lawyers target vulnerable individuals, such as those awaiting INSS retirement benefits, to exploit their lack of knowledge.

Fellow councilman Obadias Benones da Silva (PL) challenged the councilman to provide a source for these statistics, describing the remarks as ‘dangerous and grave’. The local sub-section of the Brazilian Bar Association (OAB) has expressed revolt regarding the statements and issued an official note.