08.01.07
Front Page News
So I showed up to court yesterday with an agenda of nothing more than working out pleas for two clients. But as soon as I walked into the courtroom, the clerk called me over and asked me to do the arraignment for a young man who had just been arrested in a fairly high-profile crime last week. So I spoke to him, knowing nothing more about the case than I had heard on the news. And when I went back to the courtroom, there were suddenly photographers and a damn news camera ready to film the arraignment. When I woke up to go to work, being on television was not on my list of things to do. But there I was, working with the pathetically minimal information on the criminal complaint that led to the arrest and fighting for this kid I had just met 10 minutes earlier. The feeling was sort of like being on trial last week - I completely forgot about anyone else in the room and just…fought. And I lost, of course. But now my grandparents have seen me on the news and my picture is on the front page of a local TV station’s website and I am quoted on the front page of a couple of newspapers. It’s an odd feeling.
Audacity said,
August 1, 2007 at 2:34 pm
Question - what kind of fighting do you guys do at arraignment? We just stand up, plead not guilty and leave..
misstyrios said,
August 1, 2007 at 3:04 pm
The fight is over how much bail is going to be set. It is supposed to be based on record of defaults, community ties, etc., but the fight can also center around the “facts” and how strong the case seems. So we fight for the lowest bail possible, ideally personal recognizance.
Donzell said,
August 1, 2007 at 8:47 pm
Hey, I am proud of you. Fighting for a client with nothing more than 10 minutes prep time and in front of the media with less than a year under your belt. you are my hero. i need to take lessons from you.