the agony of defeat

[befsquire]

i lost two trials this week. i understand that i can't win them all, but losing has very real consequences for my clients.

one of them, age 20, scores mandatory state prison time for his 3 felony convictions (they gave him a not guilty on one count at least). he cried. i almost cried, it was that sad.

the other, age 22, has essentially no criminal record, and his two charges were fairly minor in the realm of third degree felonies. he had a decent defense, too. frankly, i was shocked the jury found him guilty on both counts. he was too -- he just kept whispering "no." he got remanded into custody immediately and was carted off out of the courtroom. he really doesn't deserve to be in jail at all.

i could have essentially forced both of them to take the unbelievably generous offers that were given to them, and they would have been considerably better off. but it's not right to force someone into doing something just because you feel it's best for them when they are very aware of the consequences and they made the decision to go to trial anyway.

i'm not looking for sympathy for myself because at the end of the day, i get to go home regardless of the outcome at trial. i'm just venting because i feel so bad for these 2 kids. :(

[Documad]

I'm sorry for your ego, and sorry for your big heart, but I have to say that it would be good for the people of Florida if you lost a case or twenty. :o

Sorry if these were the wrong guys to send away. All you can do is give them the information and then do your best to fight for what they want, right?

[CrankItUp!]

Try spending a night in jail to find out what feeling bad feels like. To be shackled up like a dog the next morning and forced to speak to the judge when you cant because of the cold you caught overnight in the only place that is colder and is beyond the almost worser place than the emergency room. And the only thing that tastes remotely good opposed to the terrible breakfast called "food" (before being shackled up to go before the judge) is the chicken shit small tube of toothpaste supplied. (n)

[kaiser soze]

I'm sure you did the best you could

I couldn't imagine having your occupation and respect you for being capable of doing such

[Tone Capone]

Do you ever hear from your old clients in lock up?

[befsquire]

yes. one called when he got out to thank me for taking it to trial and to tell me he thinks i should be a private attorney and he'd hire me if he ever got in trouble again. he was sentenced to probation. after he was sentenced, i sent off all his stuff for his appeal (i really feel like the case law i had called for the judge to throw the case out, so maybe that'll win).

the other guy was allowed almost the same generous offer by the prosecutor on the day of his sentencing, she just added 2 more months jail time, and she dropped his other case. he's really young, and he's just stupid and hanging with the wrong people.

i had another trial recently, and i told the client no one was going to believe his story, but he went to trial anyway. i got one of the charges knocked down by the judge halfway through trial to a 2nd degree misdemeanor (max of 60 days in jail). the jury found him guilty of the other charge and not guilty on the one that got knocked down. he'll be sentenced soon, likely to probation, and he'll violate and end up back in jail. he just couldn't understand that taking someone's stuff and either hiding it and refusing to give it back or breaking it and throwing away the pieces is grand theft.

whatchagonnado?

[skra75]

amazing, a lawyer with a warm heart. next you'll tell me Jermaine Dupri put out a good album.
No for real it's nice reading this it helps to restore my faith in humanity, you're good people.

[befsquire]

thanks skra :)


it sounds like jeff spicoli in my head when i say that.