Invisible Rope Trick

Funny

Non-Legal Observation

Ice-cream trucks are not what they used to be. I remember the ice-cream trucks of my childhood to be true vending vehicles, with a window that opened up in the back and no doors. They were more like small UPS trucks, painted white and covered with pictures of their sweet selections.

The ice-cream truck that passes through our apartment complex is a sad comparison. It is nothing more than an old 80's model Astro Van with the pictures of ice-cream plastered over the outside in a haphazard manner. You can see the empty boxes that used to hold the ice-cream piled up in the back seats and the music, which was always annoying, plays especially slow like the machine that generates those ice-cream truck melodies is not getting enough power.

The kids still flock, but they don't know what they are missing.

Only a Fool

The saying that he who represents himself has a fool for a lawyer is certainly true. It seems like the people least capable of representing themselves are the ones who try and get rid of their public defenders. I that if you are paranoid schizophrenic you might be upset that your lawyer is speaking with other lawyers, but that is exactly why you need an attorney. I don't envy the public defenders. It is really nice not to have clients. As a prosecutor, our clients are the citizens of the city, but they do not call or miss their appointments.

What I read at work nad what I do to forget it

This is one of the funniest, albeit saddest, lines I have read in a police report for work. I have redacted any names but have preserved the text almost entirely:

"she said she was a 24-7 drunk but the crack has helped her get off alcohol. She said crack cocaine is better for her than alcohol because she at least knows who she is waking up with now"

It is a good thing I got away to the mountains for a week of camping. Hundred year old trees, campfires, and naps in the afternoon help restore one's sense of humanity.

Summer Time

I have not had that much to blog about lately. Last time I was just about to head out on my ride along, but it was far less exciting than you might imagine. Mostly I stood around while the officer took witness statements from cases that had happened earlier that day. The only person we arrested was a guy who was waiting at the station when we returned claiming to have outstanding felony warrants. It was true that he had warrants, and he was arrested, but he had his ID out and turned around, putting his arms behind his back before we even walked up. He was a bit entertaining because he had just put down a 12-pack of beer. I did get to see the booking process, and the fact that I was not accidentally shot is a good thing.

Otherwise I have been just going to work and taking care of the home life. I was in court solo for the first time yesterday. It was just contested infraction court. I guess I can count it as a win. The court did uphold the ticket, although he reduced the penalty. Lawyers usually do not go to those hearings, but the kid who was contesting his ticket had subpoenaed the officer so they sent m down to handle it. For the rest of the time I mostly handle the arraignments. I feel pretty comfortable talking in court. I find it easier than teaching. At least you know the judge is listening as opposed to the undergraduates who I used to teach.

That is about it. We have beautiful weather here, so I am trying to spend my free time outside and not at the computer.