See quotation.
1910. A steerer is the go-between of the shyster and prisoner; by wile and guile he brings clients to the lawyer, and in return gets a liberal reward, usually half of what the shyster is able to squeeze from the victim. Steerers in courts where discipline is not maintained move about the benches, among relatives and prisoners, learning details of a case, offering to get counsel who are “in” with the magistrate, persuading or intimidating if possible, and, if successful, turning over the victim to the shyster with whom they are in league. Most of their work is done on the outside, however; few are brazen enough to ply their trade actually within the court room, but hang about the corridors and halls. The relation of steerer to shyster is somewhat analogous—save the mark!—to that of the English solicitor, for the steerer really prepares the case for presentation.—N.Y. Evening Post, Jan. 10.
