Season 2 makes my blood boil

Hey, I'm new here. I really like Broadchurch. Season 1 was the best first season of any crime tv series I've watched (it's better than The Killing(US) in my opinion-The Killing is my favorite and I wanna rewatch it after Broadchurch).

However, S2 is messed up; the defence lawyer makes my blood boil. Why is she so adamant about keeping Joe Miller out of prison? Doesn't she think for one second that he might be guilty? What if he is guilty and by acquitting him, she'll destroy many lives and let a criminal run loose? Is she getting a huge paycheck for defending this guy? I don't get this character at all..

Also, I feel so much empathy for Ellie, for Beth and family. If they come out of this unscathed, it means they are tougher than the rest of the people I know.