One More Day in Court this Week

It has seemed like a pretty long week, with some ups and downs in court, two nights at church. What is difficult as a criminal defense lawyer, and especially as a public defender, is that you have to work very hard to keep your client's interest at the forefront of what is going on in court. Because, at times, it gets to be about finishing court quickly. So often, you get your best deals by pretending you are just part of the court system, and want it over quickly like everyone else. And, truth is, you get to where you do want to be done with a docket where you are trying to represent 20 people.

But, in our public defender's office, we want to get a good result for our clients. And, sometimes that means pretending a lot in front of other people, but telling it straight to your clients and to each other. It takes a lot of humility to become a good public defender, because your best work is usually something that is never seen, and depends upon your ability to focus almost exclusively on how the case is going for your client, and not how you are looking or seeming to do professionally.

The best public defenders are the ones the D.A.s only think are pretty good lawyers, but who are cleaning up in reality. Because a good defense attorney forgets a great job once he or she has it finished and focuses on the next case at hand.

Humility and concern for your client are the two big characteristics you need. Most other things come out of that. If you are humble enough, you won't mind others hating you some or even mocking you some if you need to take that on to uphold your client's rights. And, if you care enough, you will find the guts to stand up to authority in a way that doesn't toot your own horn, but in a way that stands fast by your client's rights. In the end, it is really about if you care enough. If you do, you will find a proper dose of humility - the dose that helps you remember that you won't back down from anyone who thinks they are going to run over your client.