Getting played

When I was walking from my office to my car today, a man approached me. I knew he was going to ask for money. I always try to acknowledge people who ask for money even if I don't have anything to give them. But this guy wanted to tell me a story about the bind that he and his wife were in. He said that he was sure that I had heard it all and started to say that they needed to get on the bus. I thought that he had no idea how much of it all I have heard. I also saw that they had fastfood bags and were drinking soda. I just said sorry and kept walking- I didn't even have the patience to give them a chance to convince me that they were truly in need. I think my clients have tried to play me too many times.

I always feel bad when I don't help people but there are too many desperate people in this city. I try to limit my change giving to obviously mentally ill, disabled or elderly folks. I admit that I am biased toward giving to women. I assuage my middle-class, white guilt by reminding myself that I don't make much extra money as a lowly public defender.

Good result

Client showed up for trial- 30 minutes late, but before the courtroom opened. Client agreed to waive the jury. The only issue was whether client possessed a gun while he was selling drugs. It was found in another room, in a closet. The prosecutor was very cool- he agreed that my client should not be charged with the gun, but could not dismiss the count on his own. So he didn't even call the officer who found the gun. The two officers he did call were just to establish the drug dealing. NG on the gun; G on the drugs. Great outcome for my client. Conviction for Mr. Prosecutor. Ten minute trial.

I'm reading "Courtroom 302" now. A case like the above makes me wish we had Chicago-style stip trials.

Waiting for a client

I don't know about you, but if I had a trial scheduled for, say, tomorrow, I would think that meeting with my attorney would be rather hight on my to do list. I've scheduled three meetings in the last month with this client. He hasn't shown up for any of them. He called me today an hour after we were supposed to meet to say he was on his way as soon as his daughter got home. Now it's three hours later. I guess we'll have to hook up in the minutes before his trial in the morning. I left him a message reminding him to show up at 8:30 a.m. and not to drive himself to court because it is likely that he will be remanded tomorrow.

It's so much easier to communicate with clients when they are in jail. At least I know that they will show up for their trials and I just have to walk across the street to meet with them.