Criminal Law

On Judgmentalism and Vegetarianism

Posted on March 21, 2008
To be clear, I thought the host was wrong to say "oh well, I cooked with meat, but it's ok because he's an overweight vegetarian." And I think anyone has the right to eat (or not eat) whatever they choose. But, when you make a point of changing everyone else's meal to meet your wishes or needs, I think it's fair to assume you might open yourself up to their questions or concerns...

On Vegetarianism

Posted on March 19, 2008
On the subject of hypocrites, here is today's question: Are vegetarians hypocrites?First, the preface, which is probably pretty obvious if you're a long time Blonde Justice reader: I eat meat. Plenty of it. And I enjoy it. I think that I tried a little stint as a vegetarian, maybe in junior high, I'm not too sure why...

Stickler

Posted on March 14, 2008
There's another associate at my firm who was previously a prosecutor here - in the courthouse where I practice now. Now he's at the firm but he doesn't do criminal defense - I'm the only criminal defense associate.It makes for an interesting dynamic...

Cop "Overdoses" on Confiscated Pot

Posted on March 05, 2008
A police officer and his wife from Dearborn, Michigan cooked up a batch of *special* brownies that included marijuana he confiscated from a suspect. He then called 911 because he thought they were dying of an overdose. Key lines include "I think we're dead" and "Time is going by real slow...

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My New Distraction

Posted on February 25, 2008
Sometimes, in court, I like to play "What's (s)he here for?" You know, sometimes it's funny because it's obvious: You see a humongous body-builder guy, acne scars and all, and you think to yourself, "Steroids." And you feel a little rewarded when they call his case and, sure enough, you've guessed right...

Back To Business

Posted on February 24, 2008
Enough whining, let's get down to the good stuff.I'm going to go set up a Blawgers Baseball League. Meet me over at Blawgers Baseball (the blog.)

Explanation

Posted on February 09, 2008
So, the short story is that I'm not all that happy in private practice. I guess you could say that I'm the opposite of happy.It's a little hard for me to express exactly what I don't like about it. I guess it's a combination of things. I guess the biggest reason is that I just don't feel like I'm doing the work that I've always wanted to do...

While You're Drinking Diet Snapple

Posted on February 06, 2008
So, I guess I've been on the quiet side for the last few weeks.I don't know, I've got things in my head, I just haven't been able to put them down in words.But, you I can show you something funny.If you haven't seen this yet, here's my little gift to you: "I'm F*cking Matt Damon"Tee hee hee.

Everything I Need to Know...

Posted on January 20, 2008
You ever heard of that book, "Everything I Need To Know In Life I Learned in Kindergarten?" I keep thinking that some day I'm going to write my own version, "Everything I Need to Know to Not Get Arrested I Learned in Elementary School."Recently I was on trial with a client charged with larceny...

The Height of Disappointment

Posted on January 10, 2008
Tonight, as I came out of my train station, there was a man stationed at the exit, wearing a huge sombrero and giving out papers. "Yes! Finally!" I thought, "Good Mexican food! In my neighborhood! Just what we need!" I practically ran to the guy to take one of the menus he was handing out...

But Can Burt?s Bees Turn ME Green?

Posted on January 09, 2008
You may remember this post, in which I wondered whether applying Burt's Bees Lemon Butter Cuticle Cream to my lips. might kill me. We even got some scientists involved in getting the answer.Well, just over three years later, the New York Times attempts to answer just that question, in the article Can Burt?s Bees Turn Clorox Green?If you don't want to read the three page article, we can cut to the chase:To prove his own bona fides, Mr...

Last Chance

Posted on January 01, 2008
Alright, I know it's a longshot, but I thought I'd mention that it's your last chance to vote for your favorite blog in The ABA Journal Blawg 100. Go vote for Blonde Justice in the "Crime Time" category!I'm even willing to trade votes, if you want me to vote for you in The Rodneys.

Stuck

Posted on January 01, 2008
I've never done crack. But I would assume that the addiction is a little bit like having a day to "work from home" and finding a Top Model-thon on VH1. Must... turn... off... TV. Just one more cycle!

Opening The Blonde Justice Mailbag

Posted on December 30, 2007
A commenter named Daniel asks,this is my question for you:when a criminal def is represented by the public defenders office can she bring in to the office another attorney WITHOOUT the consent of the defendant THE ATTORNEY WORKS for the client, (farretta -v- calif 1975) it is the assistant of counsel that is found in the 6th amend...

"In dealing with extremists, one must empower the people."

Posted on December 27, 2007
Some people might laugh when I mention that I get my news from Glamour magazine. Not all of it, of course, but some of it.But it was literally just yesterday that I was paging through Glamour while blow-drying my hair, and read an interview with Pakistan's former Prime Minister, Benazir Bhutto...

More "National Enquirer," Less "People Magazine"

Posted on December 20, 2007
My mother is so gullible...She's been away and hasn't really seen any news. So, when she called tonight, I gave her a few of the headlines she had missed. I told her who had won Survivor... I told her that Britney's little sister is pregnant..."No!" She couldn't believe it...

Christmas Buying Guide

Posted on December 16, 2007
There are a lot of blogs that feature holiday gift guides. They scouring the internet for great finds, and categorize them as "great gifts for your boss," or "for your roommate that you secretly don't really like" and "for the guy you just started dating, and you're not sure if it's going anywhere, and you're not sure if it's even worth it to get him a gift, but maybe you should have something on hand, in case he gives you something and you want to avoid an awkward moment...

Brown Alert

Posted on December 12, 2007
The new job means going to new jails. One jail is literally so new that it doesn't even smell like jail yet. If you've ever been to a jail, you know exactly what smell I'm talking about.Anyway, so I went to a new jail-processing unit today. I'll try to explain the layout...

Cotton Balls

Posted on December 09, 2007
Old School was on TBS this weekend. They had to clean up the language a little bit for basic cable. The funniest part was when the one guy tried to demonstrate "earmuffs." (You say "earmuffs," the kid in the room covers his ears, and then it's safe to say "bad words" in front of the kid...

ABA Journal Blawg 100

Posted on December 02, 2007
It's hard to campaign in an election that you don't even know you're in. Good thing I just found out about this: The ABA Journal Blawg 100. So, vote for Blonde Justice in the "Crime Time" category! I know there's little chance of me catching up with the big guys, but, as always, it's all about the underdog.

Thankful for Doing Nothing

Posted on November 25, 2007
So, what did I do with all my newfound freedom?Let's see. I did the whole turkey and stuffing thing. I saw family. Watched football. I had lunch with friends. Until this huge group with a bunch of loud pre-school kids (This was seriously a grown-up restaurant/tavern...

Thankful for...

Posted on November 22, 2007
I took tomorrow, the day after Thanksgiving, aka "Black Friday," off. Meaning, I am not working. Not going to court. Not meeting with clients. Not writing a brief. Not going into the office. It's amazing. It's really my first day off since starting my new job...

All's Well That Ends

Posted on November 16, 2007
Ok, last funny thing about this guy, I swear. The Idiom Idiot mentioned that he used to work at this one law firm. I know someone who works there now, so I mentioned, "Hey, did you know this guy...?" And guess what his response was? "Oh God, is that the guy who only talks in one liners?" Can you imagine: He walked around a law firm doing that? Crazy...

Familiarity Breeds Contempt

Posted on November 13, 2007
Sherry's friends were so annoying.I know, I know, "How annoying were they?"Ok, one friend was kind enough to bring her boyfriend. First of all, they were all lovey-dovey, kissy-kissy. ("No, I love you more," "No, I love you more...")Second of all, every single thing that he said, the entire four hours we were together, was an idiom...

On Being The Other Friend

Posted on November 11, 2007
I have this good friend, we'll name her Sherry. I'm calling her a "good friend," but the truth is that we don't talk to each other that often or see each other that often now. We both work full time, and she had a baby recently, so we're both busy, and we live about an hour from one another...

A Little Whine With Dinner

Posted on November 06, 2007
There have been some previous comments about me going out on my own, or being my own boss, or asking whether I have to bring in business... I guess my announcement that I was going into private practice was a little vague, so I'll elaborate a tiny bit...

Overmixed

Posted on October 31, 2007
I'm glad I went into private practice. So that I can fully appreciated blog posts like this one.Just imagine... a few months ago, I would've read that, and I would've been stuck thinking "I don't get it."And now I get it all too clearly.

Honesty Has Its Price

Posted on October 28, 2007
There are similarities and differences between my previous public defender clients and my current private criminal defense clients. There is also sometimes a difference in the way in which I respond to these clients.For example, every client, rich or poor, wants to know whether their case will get dismissed...

Heartbreak and Frustration

Posted on October 13, 2007
I recently sat in on a new client interview that another attorney was conducting. The potential client was a young man, 17 years old. The young man was wearing some kind of fancy polo shirt, probably from Abercrombie. And you could probably sell his jeans and buy a round of drinks for a whole bunch of public defenders...

Finally Carbonara

Posted on October 11, 2007
Guess what I made for dinner the other night. Sanchovilla's Pasta Carbonara recipe.Yummy yummy.Don't ever try to tell me this isn't a full service blog.

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