Comments for a public defender http://apublicdefender.com Fri, 12 Mar 2010 19:28:32 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 Comment on Right of passage by hleahh http://apublicdefender.com/2010/03/11/right-of-passage/comment-page-1/#comment-56441 hleahh Fri, 12 Mar 2010 19:28:32 +0000 http://apublicdefender.com/?p=2833#comment-56441 It <em>really</em> drives me nuts when people just drive in the left lane, since that IS the passing lane! Grrrrrr. It really drives me nuts when people just drive in the left lane, since that IS the passing lane! Grrrrrr.

]]> Comment on Right of passage by RSGAT http://apublicdefender.com/2010/03/11/right-of-passage/comment-page-1/#comment-56432 RSGAT Fri, 12 Mar 2010 15:49:09 +0000 http://apublicdefender.com/?p=2833#comment-56432 Route 9 is three lanes wide in some places. But you know what, forget about when the guy in the left lane is doing 70 in a 65. What about when he's doing 55 in a 65 and there are posted signs (as there are on the Merritt, for example) that THE LEFT LANE IS FOR PASSING ONLY? Law aside, if I can pass somebody on the right, it means that person wasn't moving fast enough to remain in the left lane. Route 9 is three lanes wide in some places. But you know what, forget about when the guy in the left lane is doing 70 in a 65. What about when he’s doing 55 in a 65 and there are posted signs (as there are on the Merritt, for example) that THE LEFT LANE IS FOR PASSING ONLY? Law aside, if I can pass somebody on the right, it means that person wasn’t moving fast enough to remain in the left lane.

]]> Comment on Right of passage by gerard http://apublicdefender.com/2010/03/11/right-of-passage/comment-page-1/#comment-56423 gerard Fri, 12 Mar 2010 11:18:22 +0000 http://apublicdefender.com/?p=2833#comment-56423 Isn't I-91 a limited access highway everywhere? So the three lanes thing wouldn't apply? Do we have three lane state highways? Isn’t I-91 a limited access highway everywhere? So the three lanes thing wouldn’t apply? Do we have three lane state highways?

]]> Comment on Right of passage by Jen http://apublicdefender.com/2010/03/11/right-of-passage/comment-page-1/#comment-56400 Jen Fri, 12 Mar 2010 02:25:47 +0000 http://apublicdefender.com/?p=2833#comment-56400 Hm. In Georgia, all traffic citations are misdemeanors punishable by up to 12 months in jail. So, everyone is entitled to a public defender for speeding tickets, etc. Hm. In Georgia, all traffic citations are misdemeanors punishable by up to 12 months in jail. So, everyone is entitled to a public defender for speeding tickets, etc.

]]> Comment on In loco mass media by Crime Central http://apublicdefender.com/2010/03/08/in-loco-mass-media/comment-page-1/#comment-55750 Crime Central Thu, 11 Mar 2010 01:53:29 +0000 http://apublicdefender.com/?p=2829#comment-55750 Yes, I'm the author and a self-proclaimed legal geek. I read your blog regularly but frankly was afraid to post because I am a reporter. I'll be honest, I work for a small paper and it's usually me verses seven Courant reporters when a big case comes along. I struggle every day to get it right. Most times I succeed, sometimes I'm lucky if my sentences have verbs simply because I am so dedicated to this job I can't let anything go. Thursday I covered two murder trials (including the Mercado case) and a murder arraignment. Also don't forget, we're dealing with editors who want colorful descriptions and no legal verbiage. Try explaining "pre-sentence investigation" without using the words "pre-sentence investigation." There are times, for instance when I read your post, when I say to myself, does everybody honestly think my job simply encompasses explaining gore in the splashiest terms possible with no context or thought for how this does shape the community? I do understand why you feel that way. I see my peers at other papers miss the point, carelessly rehash incorrect details and misquote people day after day. But I wanted to point out, sometimes it's a function of who the reporter is (or how lazy they are) and sometimes it's a function of juggling too much at once. It would be incredibly helpful if defense and prosecuting attorneys at least offered some details or nuances to those of us who do try to accurately reflect what's happening in the courtroom. As for the "Pro Forma" thing - yes, the public really is waiting for that defendent to grandly announce at his arraignment, "Sure I strangled the Bioche and I'd do again tomorrow if I could." Yes, I’m the author and a self-proclaimed legal geek. I read your blog regularly but frankly was afraid to post because I am a reporter. I’ll be honest, I work for a small paper and it’s usually me verses seven Courant reporters when a big case comes along. I struggle every day to get it right. Most times I succeed, sometimes I’m lucky if my sentences have verbs simply because I am so dedicated to this job I can’t let anything go. Thursday I covered two murder trials (including the Mercado case) and a murder arraignment. Also don’t forget, we’re dealing with editors who want colorful descriptions and no legal verbiage. Try explaining “pre-sentence investigation” without using the words “pre-sentence investigation.” There are times, for instance when I read your post, when I say to myself, does everybody honestly think my job simply encompasses explaining gore in the splashiest terms possible with no context or thought for how this does shape the community? I do understand why you feel that way. I see my peers at other papers miss the point, carelessly rehash incorrect details and misquote people day after day. But I wanted to point out, sometimes it’s a function of who the reporter is (or how lazy they are) and sometimes it’s a function of juggling too much at once. It would be incredibly helpful if defense and prosecuting attorneys at least offered some details or nuances to those of us who do try to accurately reflect what’s happening in the courtroom. As for the “Pro Forma” thing – yes, the public really is waiting for that defendent to grandly announce at his arraignment, “Sure I strangled the Bioche and I’d do again tomorrow if I could.”

]]> Comment on In loco mass media by Gideon http://apublicdefender.com/2010/03/08/in-loco-mass-media/comment-page-1/#comment-55746 Gideon Thu, 11 Mar 2010 01:18:23 +0000 http://apublicdefender.com/?p=2829#comment-55746 Assuming you're the author of the story you linked to, I have to commend you on a well written article. It is engaging and descriptive, giving the reader an accurate picture of the struggle in the courtroom. Other beat reports could take a cue from the job you did here. I haven't read your other work, so I can't comment generally, but thank you for bringing this to my attention. I would appreciate hearing your thoughts that you initially wanted to share, though. Assuming you’re the author of the story you linked to, I have to commend you on a well written article. It is engaging and descriptive, giving the reader an accurate picture of the struggle in the courtroom.

Other beat reports could take a cue from the job you did here.

I haven’t read your other work, so I can’t comment generally, but thank you for bringing this to my attention.

I would appreciate hearing your thoughts that you initially wanted to share, though.

]]> Comment on In loco mass media by Crime Central http://apublicdefender.com/2010/03/08/in-loco-mass-media/comment-page-1/#comment-55745 Crime Central Thu, 11 Mar 2010 01:03:40 +0000 http://apublicdefender.com/?p=2829#comment-55745 Well. I actually jumped on your site to comment on a post weeks ago about child molestation and the Roman Polanski case but I discovered this little gem instead. I was about to attempt to explain what it's like to work for almost no pay because you idealistically believe that what you do makes a difference and the public is served by it - even if at the very least it presents a cautionary tale - hey, see this, not a good plan, you can wind up killing someone, hurting your family, destroying your life. But I won't bother. Instead I'm posting the link to my story which is my response to the Polanski post. When you're finished reading it, tell me again how much I don't care about getting it right or would appreciate an explanation of a legal concept. http://www.newbritainherald.com/articles/2010/03/10/news/doc4b9715d4e1058351019657.txt Well. I actually jumped on your site to comment on a post weeks ago about child molestation and the Roman Polanski case but I discovered this little gem instead. I was about to attempt to explain what it’s like to work for almost no pay because you idealistically believe that what you do makes a difference and the public is served by it – even if at the very least it presents a cautionary tale – hey, see this, not a good plan, you can wind up killing someone, hurting your family, destroying your life. But I won’t bother. Instead I’m posting the link to my story which is my response to the Polanski post. When you’re finished reading it, tell me again how much I don’t care about getting it right or would appreciate an explanation of a legal concept. http://www.newbritainherald.com/articles/2010/03/10/news/doc4b9715d4e1058351019657.txt

]]> Comment on In loco mass media by Gideon http://apublicdefender.com/2010/03/08/in-loco-mass-media/comment-page-1/#comment-55661 Gideon Tue, 09 Mar 2010 14:49:52 +0000 http://apublicdefender.com/?p=2829#comment-55661 Don't get me wrong, I've long believed that we shouldn't waste our time talking to the press. The dangers are apparent and obvious and some lawyers get it wrong, so wrong. BUT. Having said that, I really think we need to start examining ways to effectively get a simple message across. I recognize that the mob mentality prevails on unregulated message boards such as those affiliated with news websites and people are more prone to make outrageous comments, but the prevailing sentiment is still valid: why do these people plead not guilty and take up time and money when it's so obvious they committed the crime? I guess it wouldn't be necessary if those charged with accurate "reporting" did their jobs well. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve long believed that we shouldn’t waste our time talking to the press. The dangers are apparent and obvious and some lawyers get it wrong, so wrong.

BUT. Having said that, I really think we need to start examining ways to effectively get a simple message across. I recognize that the mob mentality prevails on unregulated message boards such as those affiliated with news websites and people are more prone to make outrageous comments, but the prevailing sentiment is still valid: why do these people plead not guilty and take up time and money when it’s so obvious they committed the crime?

I guess it wouldn’t be necessary if those charged with accurate “reporting” did their jobs well.

]]> Comment on In loco mass media by mglickman http://apublicdefender.com/2010/03/08/in-loco-mass-media/comment-page-1/#comment-55657 mglickman Tue, 09 Mar 2010 13:52:32 +0000 http://apublicdefender.com/?p=2829#comment-55657 I definitely take your point about the dangers of letting the ignorance of the system snowball, but I don't think a lawyer making a statement will change that. Anyone willing to listen to reason probably wouldn't need it, and those making the comments aren't the most reasonable in the first place. Not to mention the dangers of getting a lawyer in front of a camera and microphone (or just a journalist's notepad) - it seems like Popehat's <a href="http://www.popehat.com/2007/10/26/shutupshutupshutupshutup/" rel="nofollow">rule #1</a> should apply to lawyers as well. I definitely take your point about the dangers of letting the ignorance of the system snowball, but I don’t think a lawyer making a statement will change that.
Anyone willing to listen to reason probably wouldn’t need it, and those making the comments aren’t the most reasonable in the first place.

Not to mention the dangers of getting a lawyer in front of a camera and microphone (or just a journalist’s notepad) – it seems like Popehat’s rule #1 should apply to lawyers as well.

]]> Comment on A plea of not guilty is NOT evading responsibility by In loco mass media | a public defender http://apublicdefender.com/2007/08/02/a-plea-of-not-guilty-is-not-evading-responsibility/comment-page-1/#comment-55653 In loco mass media | a public defender Tue, 09 Mar 2010 13:05:20 +0000 http://apublicdefender.com/2007/08/02/a-plea-of-not-guilty-is-not-evading-responsibility/#comment-55653 [...] speak to the press after an arraignment or the resolution of a case. For far too long, I’ve complained about the lack of nuanced reporting from those assigned to the court beat. For far too long [...] [...] speak to the press after an arraignment or the resolution of a case. For far too long, I’ve complained about the lack of nuanced reporting from those assigned to the court beat. For far too long [...]

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