Yeah, I know it's been almost a week since I've gotten back from Monterey...work at the office has been crazy with new investigation requests and cases that have taken on a life of their own and don't want to close.
You know what really chaps my ass? Getting "Rush" or investigation requests due the DAY AFTER THEY ARE REQUESTED. I especially love the requests that come in late Friday afternoon that need to be completed by THE FOLLOWING MONDAY! Do attorney's just do this because they can or because they like to piss us off?
I know, I know what you're thinking. But before you start saying, "Oh great..another county 'asshole' complaining about too much work and not enough pay! Don't you know that last minute work is expected from you in a job like this?! Don't like it? Quit!" Let me just say this. I have no problem working hard. I always (with very few exceptions) make myself available to clients and witnesses at home and on my cellular phone at all hours of the day (witnesses as a rule...have lives...sometimes their lives don't allow them to return home until 5:00pm or later...I need to be flexible for THEM), I work holidays and weekends and the more I write in defense of complaining...the more...I...sound...like...the asshole. Damn it.
The asshole digresses. What do you think happens 4 out of 5 times after turning in my investigation report directly to the attorney? Either he/her (We'll call him/her "Mr. Attaboy"), says, "Oh man...this case ended up settling yesterday...I meant to call you off the request," or the even more maddening, "Oh shit dude, you guys are on top of it! I didn't even really need this for another two weeks!" Son...of....a....bitch.
Mr. Attaboy...You aren't the only attorney I receive investigation requests from. I prioritize my investigations as the day progresses and you throwing the words "RUSH" and "DUE TOMORROW" every frickin time you prep a request is NOT COOL! If it's warranted then great...but if you just want the results back quickly because you're an impatient ass...then just think before you send your next request. Be thoughtful.
Mr. Attaboy...your only saving grace is that you work your fingers to the bone, for every client. You are the first attorney in the office and usually the last to leave and I've listened to you meeting with clients...you treat them with respect and dignity. For that I cannot fault you. I would love to be pissed at you. But I can't. Damn you.
Ahhh...I feel better now.
Oh...our office picked up another client on an old murder case in the last week...I'm not sure I can say much more for fear of being "found out." Obviously, anything I talk about will be in generalities and there is a good chance that topics of a general nature will involve only cases that have long since closed. As far as my identity goes, I'm going to do what everyone else on these blogs does with a few exceptions..stay anonymous. I guess we'll just take it one day at a time and see what happens.
Uggghh. It's Sunday morning, and I haven't slept very much lately. I went to a friends housewarming party last night and had a few too many Corona's and shots of tequila...Oh, and I had the biggest Jalapeno cheeseburger with bacon and everything on it (no lettuce though...I'd never, "church it up" with something as icky as lettuce) tonight. Well, since I'm confessing I should also include all the chips and nacho cheese dip that were inhaled before I inhaled the artery cloggin burger. The heartburn I'm feeling (at least I HOPE it's heartburn and not the start of the most painful heart attack in the world!) is sickening.
I can tell you that I'm between the ages of 30 and 35. When I was in my early 20's and it was 6:30am, I could say the night was still young or I'd be one of the drunk assholes annoying waitresses at Denny's (in all fairness my friends and I would ALWAYS tip well...still no excuse for being annoying but we were always respectful). In any case, I wouldn't have been bothered by the fact that I'd been drinking all night and I could probably do it (and did!) seven nights a week. NOW, I'm wishing that I'd just left the party early and had a nice warm glass of milk before I hit the sack. Getting old sucks.
I'm gonna try and get some sleep this morning...at least I can look forward to making it 121 days straight that I've missed going to church...I want to go back someday...just not today.
Sunday, February 27, 2005
Monday, February 21, 2005
Sometimes it's just good to be home
It's about 9:30pm and I'm finally home! It was great to be in Monterey, but the rainy weather was getting depressing and let's face it...who can really stand to be with 900+ legal professionals for four days straight without getting just wee bit stir crazy?
The highlight of today was INVESTIGATING & INTERVIEWING INFORMANTS AND COOPERATING WITNESSES. Actually this was probably the highlight of the conference. I promise to go into more detail later...at the risk of being extremly vague, I WILL say that it was fucking fantastic and refreshing to hear a super experienced attorney that's been around the block for a while still talk passionately about the work we do.
I think I need this conference once a year because it reminds me that I'm not alone.
The highlight of today was INVESTIGATING & INTERVIEWING INFORMANTS AND COOPERATING WITNESSES. Actually this was probably the highlight of the conference. I promise to go into more detail later...at the risk of being extremly vague, I WILL say that it was fucking fantastic and refreshing to hear a super experienced attorney that's been around the block for a while still talk passionately about the work we do.
I think I need this conference once a year because it reminds me that I'm not alone.
Sunday, February 20, 2005
Capital Case Defense Seminar - Day III
Well, it’s the third day of the CCDS and I just got out of the Eyewitness ID workshop. It was grrrrreat! We had Dr. Steve Clarke (UC Riverside) and Dr. Deborah Davis (University of Nevada - Reno) make excellent presentations. Dr. Davis had a great presentation which included several great examples of reasons that eyewitness testimony is so "iffy." One example was an amazing demonstration of SELECTIVE ATTENTION. Before you click on the link make sure you do the following...After the Java video loads...YOU MUST KEEP TRACK OF HOW MANY TIMES THE WHITE TEAM PASSES THE BASKETBALL TO EACHOTHER. The video takes a bit to load but after you watch it once, follow the instruction at the end of this blog.
Our days have been starting at 8:30am when the morning Plenary begins. After that, every 1 ½ hours we go to different workshops, from which there at least 10 to choose from. I think someone can come to the CCDS every year and never be able to make it to all the workshops. When I get back to the hotel room tonight, I’m gonna try and put together a couple of good links to some of the speakers today. When I get back home on Monday night, I’ll try and put up a more extensive list. It’s good shit people...and if we want to make a difference in the work we do we MUST stay educated and up to date on this stuff! It's unfortunate that they don't have continuing education requirements for investigators in California...If we want to be considered professionals, we should start to expect more from eachother.
You know, I was on the phone this morning with an old roomate that is working as a police officer in the south bay area of Nocal...what?...I know, I know...I tried talking him out of it but he gave me some crap about wanting to make a difference and it was the only way he knew how...well, I knew him BEFORE he became a cop so I figure it’s ok to associate with him...in dark bars and private homes....never in public of course!
Anyhoot...the point is, we have another mutual buddy that went to law school and has been an attorney for the last three years...he just got out of rehab for drinking and other fun stuff. It’s great that he’s out and doing well but it really got me thinking about the amount of substance abuse all the attorneys and investigator I know are involved in to a certain extent...mostly it’s drinking but I’ve been watching a lot of attorneys at this conference and actually ran into many of them at the bar last night. Is it possible that we can't do this type of work without the escape of alcohol or some other type of mood/mind altering substance?
Just a thought...I’m more into the one night a month "let’s get shitfaced" episode with old friends but geezus...is it possible that I can be one of those "old timers" in 20 years that can’t spend a night without my tumbler of whiskey? Almost makes me want to go grab a pint of Guiness to ponder the possibilities....
Did you watch the video? Good. Now...watch that same video again. Only this time WATCH THE BLACK TEAM...Did you notice that missed something the first time you watched the video? Yup....it's friggin amazing! It really makes you think about what witnesses don't see that are right in front of their faces!
Our days have been starting at 8:30am when the morning Plenary begins. After that, every 1 ½ hours we go to different workshops, from which there at least 10 to choose from. I think someone can come to the CCDS every year and never be able to make it to all the workshops. When I get back to the hotel room tonight, I’m gonna try and put together a couple of good links to some of the speakers today. When I get back home on Monday night, I’ll try and put up a more extensive list. It’s good shit people...and if we want to make a difference in the work we do we MUST stay educated and up to date on this stuff! It's unfortunate that they don't have continuing education requirements for investigators in California...If we want to be considered professionals, we should start to expect more from eachother.
You know, I was on the phone this morning with an old roomate that is working as a police officer in the south bay area of Nocal...what?...I know, I know...I tried talking him out of it but he gave me some crap about wanting to make a difference and it was the only way he knew how...well, I knew him BEFORE he became a cop so I figure it’s ok to associate with him...in dark bars and private homes....never in public of course!
Anyhoot...the point is, we have another mutual buddy that went to law school and has been an attorney for the last three years...he just got out of rehab for drinking and other fun stuff. It’s great that he’s out and doing well but it really got me thinking about the amount of substance abuse all the attorneys and investigator I know are involved in to a certain extent...mostly it’s drinking but I’ve been watching a lot of attorneys at this conference and actually ran into many of them at the bar last night. Is it possible that we can't do this type of work without the escape of alcohol or some other type of mood/mind altering substance?
Just a thought...I’m more into the one night a month "let’s get shitfaced" episode with old friends but geezus...is it possible that I can be one of those "old timers" in 20 years that can’t spend a night without my tumbler of whiskey? Almost makes me want to go grab a pint of Guiness to ponder the possibilities....
Did you watch the video? Good. Now...watch that same video again. Only this time WATCH THE BLACK TEAM...Did you notice that missed something the first time you watched the video? Yup....it's friggin amazing! It really makes you think about what witnesses don't see that are right in front of their faces!
Saturday, February 19, 2005
Capital Case Defense Seminar
Ahhhh...I've been out of it till today. I have been busy all week preparing to leave for the Capital Case Defense Seminar held in Monterey, California. It actually started yesterday afternoon (Friday). The CCDS is a great opportunity to catch up on new caselaw and investigative techniques in death penalty cases. The CCDS happens once a year and attorneys, investigator's and legal professionals from ALL OVER take over downtown Monterey for four days every February. It's overwhelming at times but always great.
I've actually been able to catch up with quite a few people from two of my old offices....and although we're all here for some very serious business...it's a good time to have a few beers with old friends. As an important side note....This is my fifth year coming to this event and there are a TON of extremely attractive attorneys, paralegal's, and investigator's..more that usual...ahh it's good to be single! More later...I got some research to do then I'm off to the bars!
I've actually been able to catch up with quite a few people from two of my old offices....and although we're all here for some very serious business...it's a good time to have a few beers with old friends. As an important side note....This is my fifth year coming to this event and there are a TON of extremely attractive attorneys, paralegal's, and investigator's..more that usual...ahh it's good to be single! More later...I got some research to do then I'm off to the bars!
Tuesday, February 15, 2005
The "Pubic" Defender?
Allright...I just read through an investigator's report today that was generated from an interview with a witness on an attempted murder case our office is currently working. It was short, direct, and closely matched the versions provided by two other independent witnesses...I couldn't pay attention to any of that because in the title of the report...in big bold letters were, "******** County Pubic Defender." Shit...I hope the attorney didn't get a hold of this thing yet....it's too fuckin funny.
Sunday, February 13, 2005
I am NOT a COP!
A Public Defender Investigator...some of you may not know what the job duties of a PD Investigator are so I should probably try to just briefly explain what my job duties are:
The job duties of a PD Investigator are best explained in this Job Description listed with the Los Angeles County Public Defender's Office...hmmm...after reading it doesn't seem like we do very much....I'll fill in the blanks later.
The Public Defender in any jurisdiction is (in most cases) appointed to represent someone who is 1) facing criminal charges and 2) unable to afford private counsel. The PD is responsible for protecting the client's constitutional rights and offering the best represenation possible. I am not going to go into the how and why of the criminal justice system..the only thing that matter's is that we as Public Defender's....ARE NOT THE BAD GUYS DAMN IT! Simply put, the investigator is the fact collector for the attorney and the client. We go out into the field, collect facts, and evidence that supports (or many times contradicts) our defense.
I can't begin to tell you how many times someone has asked what I do and after I tell them, the first words out of their mouths are, "How do you represent those criminals?" Then it moves on to, "So you're a cop?" Oy frickin vey I say...where can I begin...I am NOT a COP!!!
More later...I worked myself up into a frothy frenzy and I lost the need to type...damn it. No angry bitterness here. Nope. No siree.
The job duties of a PD Investigator are best explained in this Job Description listed with the Los Angeles County Public Defender's Office...hmmm...after reading it doesn't seem like we do very much....I'll fill in the blanks later.
The Public Defender in any jurisdiction is (in most cases) appointed to represent someone who is 1) facing criminal charges and 2) unable to afford private counsel. The PD is responsible for protecting the client's constitutional rights and offering the best represenation possible. I am not going to go into the how and why of the criminal justice system..the only thing that matter's is that we as Public Defender's....ARE NOT THE BAD GUYS DAMN IT! Simply put, the investigator is the fact collector for the attorney and the client. We go out into the field, collect facts, and evidence that supports (or many times contradicts) our defense.
I can't begin to tell you how many times someone has asked what I do and after I tell them, the first words out of their mouths are, "How do you represent those criminals?" Then it moves on to, "So you're a cop?" Oy frickin vey I say...where can I begin...I am NOT a COP!!!
More later...I worked myself up into a frothy frenzy and I lost the need to type...damn it. No angry bitterness here. Nope. No siree.
Thursday, February 10, 2005
A First For A Public Defender Investigator?
Yeah, Yeah, Yeah...I know that there are several Public Defenders's that have their own blogs (very popular ones I might add...Public Defender Dude, I'M A PD and Blonde Justice come to mind) but how about one from the guys behind the guys in the trenches?
When a PD busts out with a magical witness that blows a case wide open for the defense...who do you think found em? That's right...an investigator. When the PD rips apart a witness for the prosecution that once seemed bulletproof...but it's found that the witness lives his as a professional snitch and they have a background that is so dark and dingy that any sane member of any jury wouldn't believe even the breath that came out of their mouths...who do you think dug the dirt, looking in all the dark corners of their lives? That's right....an investigator. Who do you think gets a pat on the back when a case is dismissed or the 15 years that a client was looking at is turned into 3 months in jail with credit for time served? That's right....not the investigator.
I'm starting this blog because quite honestly, we PD Investigator's deserve to get a little attention and/or recognition once in a while. I think we all have some interesting stories to tell that never make it to the courtroom but need to be heard. I guess I also just need a place to vent....vent the pressures of work and life too I suppose. I am not sure if anyone will be listening, but I'm gonna be talking.
When a PD busts out with a magical witness that blows a case wide open for the defense...who do you think found em? That's right...an investigator. When the PD rips apart a witness for the prosecution that once seemed bulletproof...but it's found that the witness lives his as a professional snitch and they have a background that is so dark and dingy that any sane member of any jury wouldn't believe even the breath that came out of their mouths...who do you think dug the dirt, looking in all the dark corners of their lives? That's right....an investigator. Who do you think gets a pat on the back when a case is dismissed or the 15 years that a client was looking at is turned into 3 months in jail with credit for time served? That's right....not the investigator.
I'm starting this blog because quite honestly, we PD Investigator's deserve to get a little attention and/or recognition once in a while. I think we all have some interesting stories to tell that never make it to the courtroom but need to be heard. I guess I also just need a place to vent....vent the pressures of work and life too I suppose. I am not sure if anyone will be listening, but I'm gonna be talking.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)