The “Good Guys”? Yes, but consider the source. November 23, 2007
Posted by Idta in : Criminal Law, Quotes , add a comment
When we went deep into the solitary-confinement area of prison this week, many inmates stared at us and called out questions or comments. They don’t have many visitors back there.
My investigator told the first inmate who asked that we were from the state agency that handles inmate defense. (He does that in hopes that it will make the inmates less likely to throw crap at us.)
That inmate immediately announced to all of the others, “It’s the GOOD GUYS!”
One of them asked me, “Are you conducting an audit or something?” I told him the truth, that we were there investigating a case. He said, “That’s the kind of lawyer I want!”
It was pretty good being called “the good guys” for once, but this IS the section where the prison claims to house the craziest inmates.
Another thing to be thankful for! November 22, 2007
Posted by Idta in : Criminal Law, Law Enforcement , add a comment I spent about ten minutes locked inside a cell in solitary confinement today. We went to do a crime-scene visit. My investigator brought his camera. The guard closed the door so we could take pictures of the view my client had looking out onto the run. When they close the cell door, the cell feels like it gets a lot smaller. It’s about 6 feet across, and maybe 40 square feet (it’s not a square, so that’s an estimate).
I’m thankful I’m out of there.
Parents say fake online ‘friend’ led to girl’s suicide November 18, 2007
Posted by Idta in : Uncategorized , add a comment Parents want the state to prosecute those who created a fake online ‘friend’ that led to their daughter’s suicide.
The girl’s mother, Tina Meier, said she doesn’t think anyone involved intended for her daughter to kill herself.
“But when adults are involved and continue to screw with a 13-year-old, with or without mental problems, it is absolutely vile.”
Court Sentences Rape *Victim* November 16, 2007
Posted by Idta in : Attorney-Client, Criminal Law , add a comment Sometimes it seems to be a national hobby to criticize American criminal justice as overly-concerned with the rights of the accused and indifferent to the rights of victims. Well, for contrast, take a look at Saudi Arabian ‘justice’.
Reports of the story triggered debate about Saudi Arabia’s legal system, in which judges have wide discretion in punishing a criminal, rules of evidence are shaky and sometimes no defense lawyers are present. The result, critics say, are sentences left to the whim of judges.
Should we change our definition of Freedom next? November 11, 2007
Posted by Idta in : Constitution, Criminal Law, Law Enforcement , add a comment The Bush Administration has already redefined “torture” (and treason). Now they’re taking aim at changing the definition of privacy.
A top intelligence official says it is time people in the United States changed their definition of privacy.
Justice O’Connor’s Wish: a Wand, Not a Gavel November 9, 2007
Posted by Idta in : Constitution , add a comment I think if O’Connor really had a magic wand she’d go back to 2000 and undo her treasonous decision to put her personal wishes before her oath to uphold the Constitution.
