Comments on: Another One Bites The Dust (Updated)

By: As Maricopa Turns: The Insurrection | Sonoran Weekly Review

As Maricopa Turns: The Insurrection | Sonoran Weekly Review — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 15:32:06 +0000

[...] Matt Brown wrote about the arrest of criminal defense lawyer Dave DeCosta, invoking the misguided wrath of the [...]

By: Lyle Jones

Lyle Jones — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 14:02:09 +0000

Wow, the local bar has the knives out for Matt Brown. Too bad they don’t show the same vigor in going after Joe Arpaio.

I guess I’m well shut of the valley. Miss it terribly, but then I read this.

By: Defending People » On Behalf of Matt Brown, You’re Welcome.

Defending People » On Behalf of Matt Brown, You’re Welcome. — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 20:10:08 +0000

[...] he found the story of DeCosta’s arrest for allegedly trying to sneak drugs to Jesse Alejandro interesting enough to post about, especially in light of the fact that, about a year ago, one of Alejandro’s previous lawyers [...]

By: David DeCosta Revisited — Chandler Criminal Defense

David DeCosta Revisited — Chandler Criminal Defense — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 14:28:41 +0000

[...] DeCosta RevisitedMissing the PointInequalityAnd The Machine Keeps on Running…Another One Bites The DustShamefulJail: US v. MexicoJudges Aren’t Always RightPlea or Trial?No Public Defender’s [...]

By: Adrian

Adrian — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 22:49:48 +0000

Anyone know where I can pick up a good set of training wheels?
I’ve read most of the police reports regarding the accusations against Mr. DeCosta. Seeing the reports made it easier to understand some of the angry comments from people that know and like DeCosta. I truly hope DeCosta is innocent. The comments are still misplaced but more understandable. As far as the thinly veiled insults from some of the attorneys, you guys stay classy.
I’ve spoken to several attorneys about DeCosta and never heard a negative thing. I hope in the end he is vindicated.

By: Missing the Point — Chandler Criminal Defense

Missing the Point — Chandler Criminal Defense — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 14:31:47 +0000

[...] the PointInequalityAnd The Machine Keeps on Running…Another One Bites The DustShamefulJail: US v. MexicoJudges Aren’t Always RightPlea or Trial?No Public Defender’s [...]

By: Russ Richelsoph

Russ Richelsoph — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 03:01:39 +0000

Whether or not you review the police reports, you should write about the presumption of innocence that every person who is accused of a crime deserves.

As an attorney who holds yourself out as someone who practices criminal defense, you should not be fascinated, or even surprised, by the reaction you are getting from the criminal defense bar. I cannot speak to the quality of the work that you do for your clients, but the fact that you throw this gossip into the potential jury pool really brings your credibility as a criminal defense attorney into question.

By: Pamela Nicholson

Pamela Nicholson — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 00:53:54 +0000

This is not a “fascinating” exchange among defense lawyers. This is a very serious discussion about what a criminal defense lawyer does, and does not, do.

You wrote – “The Maricopa County criminal defense bar has been abuzz with talk of him getting blow jobs from that client’s girlfriend.” Really? Are you trying to legitimize publication of gossip by creating the impression that you’ve had conversations about this matter with seasoned, respected criminal defense lawyers?

How is it that you know that Mr. DeCosta “decided to sacrifice his career and reputation doing something monumentally idiotic”? How do you know whether he deliberately did anything illegal, much less whether he considered the ramifications? The truth is you don’t know.

After being pressed by a member of the criminal defense bar, you conceded that your conclusions are mere speculation, but you wrote “regardless, based on everything I’ve read, it looks like DeCosta admitted to the substantive elements of the charge.” Really? So based on what you read in the newspaper, he must be guilty.

Incidentally, I’m not upset about bloggers who engage in wild speculation. I am, however, troubled that a criminal defense lawyer would publish a blog presuming someone is guilty in a case about which he knows next to nothing.

Every one of our clients must understand that we don’t presume that he/she is guilty as charged – there is always more to the story. Maybe that would be a good subject for you to write about next.

By: Matt Brown

Matt Brown — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 20:54:10 +0000

Wow, I never expected this would get a bunch of defense attorneys all riled up over a week after I posted it. Fascinating.

If you have copies of the reports, please fax them over. I’d love to put up another post on this. If I’m totally off base, I’ll gladly post a retraction.

Out of curiosity, are you guys as upset about the numerous other posts here and on every other blawg speculating about issues relevant to recent news stories?

By: Pamela Nicholson

Pamela Nicholson — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 20:53:38 +0000

Maybe tomorrow the criminal defense bar will be abuzz about how you don’t even understand the most basic Constitutional right – presumed innocence. I’ve never met you and I know nothing about the quality of your work, but I must wonder how you can possibly be a zealous advocate for the rights of your clients if you’re writing this kind of stuff. Do you start with the premise that a person is guilty until proven innocent?