My musings.

And a lot of gpoc.

7 notes

I have a client who has been in and out of jail since he was 16.  All nonviolent offenses. I asked him if he would be willing to agree to a job training or education requirement as part of the bail package we are going to seek.  He was so excited at the idea and couldn’t believe it might be an option.  He said no way is the government going to spend money to train me and help me get a job.  I told him that it is in the government’s best interest to help him get gainful and long term employment.  

One minor problem, NO ONE HAS TOLD THE GOVERNMENT THIS.  

Filed under lock them up and throw away the key PISSED OFF the life of a defense attorney criminal law

87 notes

yellowonesdontstop: While walking the dogs in a downpour this morning I saw a homeless man sitting on a box crate, trying to stay dry under the awning of one of the shuttered businesses on 1st Ave. As we passed him I remembered that at home we have a Condé Nast umbrella that I got as a company Christmas gift one year while I worked at Lucky magazine. It’s nice with a curved wooden handle, an embossed silver plaque on the handle, “Condé Nast” printed all over the underside and best of all, it’s huge because it’s a golf umbrella. This is why we never use it. It’s simply too large for us. So after I brought the boys back home, I went back out to 1st Ave and gave the man that umbrella. He introduced himself as Ernie, asked me my name, shook my hand and said “God bless you” repeatedly. Here’s hoping that umbrella keeps Ernie nice and dry. We should all take a lesson from this wonderful person.  Time and time again I hear of her random acts of kindness to strangers. It is too easy to get caught up in yourself in NYC. It is people like this that make our city and world beautiful. Thank you for being you. 

yellowonesdontstop:

While walking the dogs in a downpour this morning I saw a homeless man sitting on a box crate, trying to stay dry under the awning of one of the shuttered businesses on 1st Ave. As we passed him I remembered that at home we have a Condé Nast umbrella that I got as a company Christmas gift one year while I worked at Lucky magazine. It’s nice with a curved wooden handle, an embossed silver plaque on the handle, “Condé Nast” printed all over the underside and best of all, it’s huge because it’s a golf umbrella. This is why we never use it. It’s simply too large for us.

So after I brought the boys back home, I went back out to 1st Ave and gave the man that umbrella. He introduced himself as Ernie, asked me my name, shook my hand and said “God bless you” repeatedly.

Here’s hoping that umbrella keeps Ernie nice and dry.

We should all take a lesson from this wonderful person.  Time and time again I hear of her random acts of kindness to strangers. It is too easy to get caught up in yourself in NYC. It is people like this that make our city and world beautiful. Thank you for being you. 

Filed under thank you kindness

14 notes

Brimming with emotions on a Saturday…

I spent this morning and early afternoon in federal prison visiting CJA (a form of legal aid in the federal system) clients. 

One client told me I was the best lawyer he has ever had (and he has had quite a few).  What distinguishes me from his other lawyers is I am fighting for him and this is a first for him.  It makes me so angry I could explode.  

I also had to ask another client to make an impossible decision in less than 48 hours.  

I love criminal work and fighting for my clients but god damn it makes me feel all the feels. 

Filed under feelings criminal law the life of a defense attorney drained

29 notes

I thought there was a bombing. I smelled smoke and looked outside the window and saw a whole bunch of dust, and I grabbed my son.
Metro North train rider Natalie Sepulveda • Describing the situation she (along with her two-year-old son) experienced immediately in the wake of today’s crash, which has injured 60 people, including five critically. The crash snarled transit around the busy Northeast Corridor, forcing both Metro North and Amtrak to shut down operations north of New York City. Two trains collided near Bridgeport, Ct. during rush hour. (via shortformblog)

(via shortformblog)