suffocating pragmatism becomes insensitivity… and then, you don’t belong here

For the past several months I’ve been acting as immigration advisor to my colleagues in criminal practice.  Though I’ve only been here a short time, somehow I’ve started to get cold calls from correctional… Continue reading →

Courtroom Meltdown

Some may have noticed my meltdown the other day (on Twitter). If you care, here’s what happened… I had met with a client in the holding cell area and I was begging him… Continue reading →

Excuse Me While I Produce More Convicts

There is nothing I fear more than the innocent client. There – I said it.  I hate admitting this, but it’s true.  People ask me constantly “what happens when your client is innocent?”… Continue reading →

Leave the Black and Latino Boys in Jail *UPDATE*

Several weeks ago, I squabbled with the administrators at the group home where my client lived (See my previous blog post about it here). While my client sat in jail, I couldn’t get in touch… Continue reading →

Leave the Black & Latino Boys in Jail

Friday November 20, 2009 I worked night arraignments & of course represented several teenage boys (all black & latino) for varying petty offenses. One particular case involved three 16 yr old boys at… Continue reading →

When I Grow Up, I wanna Be a Public Defender

the inconvenience of my dream to be a good PD