"What they are supposed to be" is a lie, a fabrication to placate the masses.
They were never that.
They can never be that.

Read "Woe Unto Ye Lawyers" for a taste of it.

Or, for a taste, if you were running a court to find out the truth, why would you run it in a way where hiding the truth can win you the case? Where hiding the truth is the best plan?

Or, for something for you to really look into:
Why is an attorney provided for you during a legal trail?
The answer will have you feeling thoughts of killing all lawyers, just be warned.