It is nice to get a boost in one’s career now and again. Yesterday, in front of a small class (I am thinking it was a high school senior elective course), a Circuit Judge introduced me as one of the best defense attorneys in the County.
Today, I got word from the administration that they will be dismissing a case. This is the right result I asked for in this dismissal at the district court level. The dismissal was denied there, after supervisory review. At the preliminary exam, the police witnesses were adamant about going forward, despite the true wrongdoer coming forward and admitting his crime. It was also denied at the Circuit Courtroom level.
My dad, Jerry, used to say, “No was just another way to yes.” Grateful to have remained tenacious and kept pushing. Justice is served, and a young man gets to go on and have a productive lawyer.
Note this was a MIDC-assigned case (there is no such thing as court-appointed anymore). This quiets the voices of “You work for nothing/I’m gonna get me a paid lawyer” and “You work for them.” Hmm, truth be told, I served on CDAM’s Committee on Criminal Defense Attorneys of Michigan, which provided input on the creation of the Michigan Indigent Defense System. It radically altered how services are provided to indigents. My entire 36-year career has been devoted to public defense; despite the fact that I take on a few paying clients, I make no distinction whether my cases are assigned or paid. I have often said my zealous advocacy does not change regardless of how the case came to me.
Thank you, Creator, and thank you, colleagues, who do this sometimes thankless job, on a daily (weekends included) basis.
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