One of the best blogs I've ever read....
Public Defender Revolution: THE POWER OF YEP!
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Well, it's been a while....
I keep plugging along, and don't always keep up with things the way I should. Including keeping people who follow this "sometimes" blog informed.
I like to talk about my cases, but obviously have to be very careful about details. Not sure how the bosses would appreciate me posting things. But this case pissed me off.
Husband and wife charged with child neglect and placed on probation. Five kids, husband lost his job, two months behind on the rent, about to be evicted, electricity being turned off, in Florida, in August. Tried to transfer probation, but being given a hard time by the PO. Moved to a different county to live with a sister, without permission. Violated. Of course. It is Florida.
Wife admits. Private attorney. 48 months prison.
Husband still in jail. I tell him he has to fight it, or we can't appeal. I knew the outcome before the hearing. Found in violation. Sentenced to 48 months. Despite my arguments that he was put on probation, and told he didn't care for his children. He tries to care for his children and not accrue 5 more counts of child neglect for having kids living in a house with no electricity, no air, no water, in August, in Florida. Or the alternative, living in their van. Would have been charged for sure. He does what he has to do, and is told he is still wrong.
In this economy, jobs are so hard to come by. He had been a skilled professional. Lost his license because of the felony charge. Working in a restaurant. Wife caring for the kids. Had he been able to find a decent job, we wouldn't be discussing this case. But he couldn't. And now he, his wife, and his five children are being punished for it. In foster care, 4 different families in 2 counties. Husband is told he will very likely never get his children back if he is sentenced to more than a year.
At least it is all the record for the appeal.
It pisses me off. Where is the justice here?
I like to talk about my cases, but obviously have to be very careful about details. Not sure how the bosses would appreciate me posting things. But this case pissed me off.
Husband and wife charged with child neglect and placed on probation. Five kids, husband lost his job, two months behind on the rent, about to be evicted, electricity being turned off, in Florida, in August. Tried to transfer probation, but being given a hard time by the PO. Moved to a different county to live with a sister, without permission. Violated. Of course. It is Florida.
Wife admits. Private attorney. 48 months prison.
Husband still in jail. I tell him he has to fight it, or we can't appeal. I knew the outcome before the hearing. Found in violation. Sentenced to 48 months. Despite my arguments that he was put on probation, and told he didn't care for his children. He tries to care for his children and not accrue 5 more counts of child neglect for having kids living in a house with no electricity, no air, no water, in August, in Florida. Or the alternative, living in their van. Would have been charged for sure. He does what he has to do, and is told he is still wrong.
In this economy, jobs are so hard to come by. He had been a skilled professional. Lost his license because of the felony charge. Working in a restaurant. Wife caring for the kids. Had he been able to find a decent job, we wouldn't be discussing this case. But he couldn't. And now he, his wife, and his five children are being punished for it. In foster care, 4 different families in 2 counties. Husband is told he will very likely never get his children back if he is sentenced to more than a year.
At least it is all the record for the appeal.
It pisses me off. Where is the justice here?
Sunday, February 14, 2010
And now, for something completely different...
It's funny what a song can do.
I miss my dad.
My father died almost 24 years ago. I was 17. He's been gone longer than I knew him.
But it hurts. Alot. Sometimes...most times...I hate emotions.
I was always a "daddy's girl." Always wanted to tell him first about everything that happened. Every new thing in my life. And I haven't been able to in years. I couldn't talk to him when I got married the first time. Or when I got divorced. Or when I decided where to go to school. Or where to move for work. Or my choice of career. Or when I got married the second time.
I know he would have stood behind my decisions. As he always did. But that doesn't mean I didn't want to ask.
Why today? Why Valentine's Day? I don't know. I know it hurts. I know I want it to stop. I know I want my dad back.
I miss my dad.
My father died almost 24 years ago. I was 17. He's been gone longer than I knew him.
But it hurts. Alot. Sometimes...most times...I hate emotions.
I was always a "daddy's girl." Always wanted to tell him first about everything that happened. Every new thing in my life. And I haven't been able to in years. I couldn't talk to him when I got married the first time. Or when I got divorced. Or when I decided where to go to school. Or where to move for work. Or my choice of career. Or when I got married the second time.
I know he would have stood behind my decisions. As he always did. But that doesn't mean I didn't want to ask.
Why today? Why Valentine's Day? I don't know. I know it hurts. I know I want it to stop. I know I want my dad back.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
WOW....
I know it's been a loooooong time. But I've been made aware of something that I can't ignore....
WOW!!! That's all I can say about this video. Unbelievable!
I am so glad that I don't practice in Maricopa County, AZ. I think all public defenders, and defense attorneys in general, at least on occasion, question the actions and integrity of law enforcement. But to be so blatant, knowing they are being recorded, is unreal!
I understand the deputy is now saying that he viewed what he thought were keywords indicating a crime. BUT...why was he in a position to view those words in the first place??
I wish this would have happened in front of my judge. All hell would have broken loose. My judge may normally rule with the state, but blatant violation of the defendant's rights? No way in hell.
I'm simply flabbergasted, and can only say, WTF????????
WOW!!! That's all I can say about this video. Unbelievable!
I am so glad that I don't practice in Maricopa County, AZ. I think all public defenders, and defense attorneys in general, at least on occasion, question the actions and integrity of law enforcement. But to be so blatant, knowing they are being recorded, is unreal!
I understand the deputy is now saying that he viewed what he thought were keywords indicating a crime. BUT...why was he in a position to view those words in the first place??
I wish this would have happened in front of my judge. All hell would have broken loose. My judge may normally rule with the state, but blatant violation of the defendant's rights? No way in hell.
I'm simply flabbergasted, and can only say, WTF????????
Monday, May 5, 2008
The Sixth Amendment
I wish I could understand the mentality of some prosecutors. A person accused of a crime is granted the right to a public and speedy trial. A right so important, the states have adopted it in their criminal procedure rules. So why should persons accused be punished for exercising their rights?? It never ceases to amaze me the number of times that a prosecutor is OFFENDED by the fact that a client wants a trial. And they will do anything to prevent it. Filing additional charges, filing felonies when the client was only charged with misdemeanors, seeking to have bonds revoked for no legitimate reasons.
Are they that unsure of their abilities at a trial?
Are they that convinced that someone accused MUST be guilty?
Everyone gets up in arms about someone accused "violating the rights" of the victims involved. What about when the accused winds up being the victim of the prosecutor? Nobody wants to hear about that. And if the accused decides to accept a plea after all of this, how can the judge believe that it is a "voluntary and uncoerced" plea? Give me a break!
Are they that unsure of their abilities at a trial?
Are they that convinced that someone accused MUST be guilty?
Everyone gets up in arms about someone accused "violating the rights" of the victims involved. What about when the accused winds up being the victim of the prosecutor? Nobody wants to hear about that. And if the accused decides to accept a plea after all of this, how can the judge believe that it is a "voluntary and uncoerced" plea? Give me a break!
Friday, May 2, 2008
New page part
I have added a new part to my page. It's supposed to be called My Daily Diversions, but I'm still working on the formatting.
It seems that the one thing that will calm me down and clear my head after a really tough day at work is cuteness! There are several pages that I view regularly, including Cute Overload, The Daily Puppy, and Funny Cat Pictures. After hours of all the ugliness I see at work, and all the horrible things that people will do to other people, these remind me that there is still some purity and goodness in the world.
And I need it on days like today, after I see stories like this one on the news. Kitten thrown from car. Speaking of the things people do to other people, it boggles my mind that someone could do this to a creature so helpless. ARGGHHHH!
It seems that the one thing that will calm me down and clear my head after a really tough day at work is cuteness! There are several pages that I view regularly, including Cute Overload, The Daily Puppy, and Funny Cat Pictures. After hours of all the ugliness I see at work, and all the horrible things that people will do to other people, these remind me that there is still some purity and goodness in the world.
And I need it on days like today, after I see stories like this one on the news. Kitten thrown from car. Speaking of the things people do to other people, it boggles my mind that someone could do this to a creature so helpless. ARGGHHHH!
An Update..
I know it's again been a while. But so, so busy. Just a quick update on some prior stories.
Bar Complaint -
It took a while (such a loooong while from my perspective). But the Bar finally said that my client had no basis for complaint. Just as an aside, I've learned from another client that the one that filed the complaint is now regretting it. He's spoken to some of my other clients, and realized that I really do care about my clients and really do work my ass off for them. He has had another attorney appointed, and his new attorney is doing everything he can to convince the client he just needs to plead to prison time, and that he has no defense. Which may not be the case. Live and learn.
An older post -
Regarding one of my first posts, having to do with a client of mine that was convicted at trial. I have recently learned that the appeals court has said I was right about an argument made at trial, and has reversed his conviction. WoooHooo!!
Bar Complaint -
It took a while (such a loooong while from my perspective). But the Bar finally said that my client had no basis for complaint. Just as an aside, I've learned from another client that the one that filed the complaint is now regretting it. He's spoken to some of my other clients, and realized that I really do care about my clients and really do work my ass off for them. He has had another attorney appointed, and his new attorney is doing everything he can to convince the client he just needs to plead to prison time, and that he has no defense. Which may not be the case. Live and learn.
An older post -
Regarding one of my first posts, having to do with a client of mine that was convicted at trial. I have recently learned that the appeals court has said I was right about an argument made at trial, and has reversed his conviction. WoooHooo!!
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