I Will Miss The Kids
As I transition out of doing court-appointed juvenile cases, I realize how much I will miss the kids. * * * * * “Darrell” was my typical client. Like all of my clients, he was my favorite. When… Read More
Joining the Adult CJA Panel in D.C.
I have just been appointed to the D.C. Superior Court panel for adult court-appointed cases. I was one of three lawyers appointed on a “provisional” basis. (Three other lawyers were promoted from the provisional panel to the full… Read More
D.C. Panel of Court-Appointed Lawyers for Juveniles
The 2015 list of lawyers eligible to accept court appointments in juvenile cases is now out. Chief Judge Lee F. Satterfield issued the order approving the list on October 23. The list will be good for the next… Read More
How Quiet In This Room That Holds Us Both
“It is what it is.” The detective says this many times throughout the two-hour interrogation of your client. It is a phrase with no meaning, a verbal tic; a space-filler you throw in there in the guise of… Read More
Accountability
My client’s grandmother stands next to me at the bar of the court. She complains to me about the probation officer, about the education attorney, about the prosecutor, and about the judge. I am sure that when I… Read More
Everything is Calm. Everything is Civilized.
The two young men have been in the same place at the same time before. I have seen it on the video recording. The first meeting – captured by a surveillance camera at the back of a D.C…. Read More
Thank You For Your Vote Of Confidence
Dear Juvenile Client: You must think I am one really, really good lawyer. Why else would you violate every condition of your pre-trial probation — knowing that this would result in your being locked up until forever —… Read More
The Government Wins Every Time
Years ago I went to the Playland amusement park in Rye, New York with some friends. We were walking by the “Guess Your Age or Weight” booth when I noticed that the proprietor had stepped out, temporarily turning… Read More
My Client Is Going Home Today
My client – a juvenile — is going home today. I am working with one of my favorite prosecutors on the case. Although hard-line, she is straightforward and ethical. There is no hiding-the-ball with her. She has a… Read More
Why Juvenile Cases Should Be Tried
When I was a public defender, a major challenge was the client with a lousy case and a good offer on the table who nevertheless insisted on taking his case to trial. He didn’t trust his lawyer to… Read More
