Comments on: Trial Reflections

By: Lyle Jones

Lyle Jones — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 20:14:37 +0000

As a public defender, I’m often insulted by clients. I don’t hold it against them, and would certainly have not let it prevent me from letting you shop through my closet.

I would have probably taken the time served offer as well, but it’s not our call. We give our best legal advice, and then do what the client directs. The prosecutor should have made you the time served offer in advance, so that you could have some time to discuss it with your client. That would have probably been more effective.

Congratulations on your win. It was a win, and they are sometimes few and far between. NG is a satisfying feeling.

By: Matt Brown

Matt Brown — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 23:35:49 +0000

This wasn’t in Maricopa County, and it was THE public defender who denied my request. I still think highly of her as a lawyer and a person despite this incident, so I didn’t want to name names. I think 4 of THE county public defenders in Arizona are female, so you have a 1 in 4 chance of guessing who it was anyway.

By: victoria

victoria — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 21:47:04 +0000

I’m a little confused…who denied you the clothes? Was this in maricopa county? THE public defender in maricopa county is a man; your article referenced a female. Was is the previous lawyer who denied you? Just looking for clarity.

By: Barry W

Barry W — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 19:59:03 +0000

Very petty on the part of the public defender. Even if she didn’t care much for the “dissing” client, how about a little professional courtesy to a fellow lawyer?

By: Jamison Koehler

Jamison Koehler — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 17:51:58 +0000

Congratulations on the win.

As a former public defender, I am very familiar with the daily insults from ungrateful clients. But I don’t know of any public defender who ever let that get in the way of his/her representation. Certainly no one I ever knew would have been so petty as to refuse your client the shirt.

One of the things I like best about private practice is the improved relationship I have with clients. I guess if the clients choose you, rather than have you appointed to represent them, and pay you money, they will accord you more respect. Does that make me a better lawyer?

By: Amused

Amused — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 17:47:58 +0000

Uhm you really should never deal with the head person or the receptionists. Call the ones you talk with and they will get you the stuff. We have the trench mentality and will help those who fight the State.

By: Gideon

Gideon — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 17:20:47 +0000

The shirt thing is pretty stupid. We have a “closet” too, of clothes, and routinely let private attorneys borrow them for their clients. It’s a pity when people in our profession get petty and forget what the ultimate goal really is.