September 2, 2012
May 11, 2011
March 27, 2010
This DA’s a Mensch
The DA on the case transmits the Offer from his Boss, the Supervisor. For all 5 robberies with a gun and my guy’s prior convictions: 19 years in State Prison.
This sounds about right. We don’t have a defense. My guy’s been id’d by just about everybody including his girlfriend for robbing a bunch of cabbies and even a guy waiting for a bus. Just to get some cash so he can get high again. He’s a 50 year old heroin addict schnook, who looks 80, a very nice guy when he’s not high, who has spent half his life in prison. He really just wants to go back home to the joint.
My guy’s gonna take the 19 years. But before we get in front of the judge the DA says – “Wait, don’t take the deal.” I go, what? “If we go to trial all your guy has to do is get up on the stand and testify how it was a bb gun not a real gun. We’re not going to be able to prove the gun. Hold out for something better.”
And the next month the DA comes back with a new Offer from his Boss, the Supervisor. 10 years. Which my guy takes.
May 27, 2009
SQUABBLING LAWYERS
May 20, 2009
Yeah Baby!
*answer enough evidence to hold defendant for trial.
May 3, 2009
YOU JAMMIN’ ME?
“What are you jammin* me for?” DA says to me.
My client had refused to waive time**.
“I’m not jammin you.” I tell him. “My client wants to have his trial already.” (I’d like to add but I don’t “he doesn’t know anything aobut your plans to go scuba diving off the reefs in Hawaii next week, asshole – he’s in jail – he’s not thinking about screwing your trip up but if he knew I’m sure he would love to do just that.”
What’s wrong with some DA’s thinking is they think we’re on the same team – when we’re only in the same league – on different teams. (unfortunately alot of my clients think the same way – “You’re in bed with the DA!”)
*jammin” the act of not agreeing to a continuance for your colleague’s convenience [colleague can be co-defense counsel or DA] “jamming” is considered very non collegial – very like “civil” lawyers)
**”waiving time” means the defendant says it’s okay with him to postpone the trial
September 12, 2008
YOU’D THINK I KILLED SOMEONE – THAT’S MY ARM IN THE PHOTO
OMG I’m sent out for trial downtown to begin my 7 count forcible rape re-trial. That’s ok but I have a preliminary hearing set the next day in Long Beach. It’s been postponed a few times. And I’ve got another trial set the next week (14 counts of robbery) also in Long Beach. The Judge wants to see me. The DA wants to see me. There I am surrounded by the Judge, the 2 DA’s – the one on the preliminary hearing and the one on the robbery trials. They’re “frustrated”. They’re “upset”. They’re “pissed off”. At ME! Cause “YOU GOT YOURSELF ENGAGED!” (for you non criminal attorneys “being engaged” has nothing to do with marriage or sex. [well, maybe] It means that you can only do one thing at a time. If you’re in a trial well you’re not going to be able to do a preliminary hearing or another trial. That’s what it means. I’m a trial lawyer – I go to trials when some judge tells me I’m going. That’s it. But there I am in Long Beach being accused of “GETTING MYSELF ENGAGED!” That’s exactly what the DA’s say. “Mr. Meyer continues to get himself engaged!” They’re beside themselves with anger. You’d think I’d done all the rapes, carjackings, and kidnappings. Okay so their schedules had to be changed. They work me over good. By the time I slink out of there I am so relieved that I’m still in one piece and not in jail myself, I’m actually really looking forward to the relaxation of fighting my forcible rape trial. 