Interesting story from my job today.

I am an attorney--just to get that out of the way--who occasionally represents indigents in criminal cases.

Anyway, I have this relatively new client who has made it quite clear to me that he will never make it to court on time. We have had 4 court appearances so far and the earliest he has shown up was 10 minutes late. Thankfully, his case was not called on time in those instances so he did not get into trouble.

Well, today we had a motion to suppress hearing at 2:00. He shows up at 2:25. The judge was about 5 minutes away from issuing a bench warrant on him.

When we get into the court room the judge walks in and the bailiff tells us to "all rise" he slowly stands up and leans at about a 45 degree angle at the waist with both of his his hands resting against the table. Not really the best impression to make to say the least.

He was dressed like he just got done lubing the chassis of a farm vehicle and his hair was a rat's nest.

After the hearing was over, I told him to wait for me in the hall to talk to him as I had to sign a few papers. Right after my client was out of earshot the judge asked: "Does your client smell as bad as he looks?" Normally, I may have been a bit put off by such a remark, but this comment was warranted. I couldn't help but laugh along with the prosecutor, his witness and the court reporter.

I guess that's it. I have a question though, if you had to go to court in a criminal matter (or any matter) would you look like you just slept off one of the biggest binge drinking extravaganzas you ever had?

Even as "just a juror", I was expected to (and did) dress accordingly. And if I were a defendant, I'd sure as hell be dressed in a somber, dignified manner.

The funny thing is that I have told him everytime that I see him that he needs to show up on time and dress accordingly. I even told him that he could be arrested for not showing up on time.

Really makes it hard to represent these people when they seem so disinterested in their own fate.

appearances are used to judge people...

a self-destructive type person, you always find a way to ruin everything.

i was looking for 3 hots and a cot. and i am a pretty die hard slob.

When I was a smoking cessation facilitator for American Lung Association, the general manager's secretary convinced him to foot the bill for a clinic for their workplace.

She was in the clinic. A two-pack a day smoker, she felt she had to quit. And quit she did--the clinic. After the second meeting, I called her to find out why she wasn't coming anymore.

She said she had just learned she had lung cancer and the smoking cessation meetings were too stressful.


Cher

At least that seems to be her position.

I cover court for my paper and can't believe the way some people show up...budwiser T-shirts and all that shit, it's unreal.

Did you see my post on the trial I was at today? Fucking hilarious.


I also heard the prosecutor telling a story that happened during his first week after he'd been called. Long story short, the judge said to the defendant.

"Your lawyer isn't Jesus, he can't walk on water, and he sure as hell isn't going to keep you out of prison today."

Great line by the judge too.