Steven Barnes is now a free man

[Clipper]

I think ya meant to say "gotta hobble" kiddo. I hope the foot is doing better. Hang in there. (actually I am hoping it is too sore to kick my butt)

[Swimmy]

Dec 10, 2008 13:24:43 GMT -5 bobbbiez said:

Clipper, you are sooooooooooooooo right about the legal aid departments. Sorry, but in my book, they are good for sh*t and if they represent you, you're a** is going bye, bye for a long time.

It's all about money in our court system. If you can afford a dream team, you either get no time or very little. That's not what justice is suppose to mean.

I've been in court rooms many times when the lawyers from the legal aid department doesn't even know what the defendant they're representing looks like. Pretty damn sad in my book.

In my defense, it is not because we don't care about our clients. Many times, it is because the client refused to cooperate with us in meeting us for office appointments, returning phone calls, or otherwise helping us prepare their case. I have one client right now who is purposely evading me. I even tried showing up at his house. He snuck out the back while his mommy stalled me. I have had other clients refuse to talk to me until the day before court and expect me to work a miracle. I can't subpoena witnesses the day of a trial. Nor can I prepare them for their testimony 15 minutes before we're called in.
Other times, the legal aid attorneys are so overloaded with cases, it is hard to keep faces straight. Down here in Broome County, I have about 45 cases that are open. Not much, but other attorneys in my office have almost quadruple that amount. One attorney has been fighting with management that she has too many cases for her to handle. She can't return phone calls; she's always in court; barely has time to file all necessary paperwork. But we have a contract with the Family Court and we have to do everything in our power to keep it or else we lose even more funding.

I don't dispute that there are many instances where there are lousy legal aid attorneys, but often, it's the clients' fault.

The other part is the pay is lousy. I cannot afford to live at my current salary and have had to take on a second job to pay back my student loans. There are no programs that offer relief for legal aid attorneys and the ones that do exist have very limited resources (e.g. one program received over 12,000 applications for loan relief and could only award relief to 412). So, you often have recruited less than dedicated attorneys who are too busy trying to better their own situation, or are using it as a stepping stone. But no one wants to help out and no one cares.

Everyday I come to work, even the private attorneys in court, say that they can't wait for me to become cynical so that I stop being so aggressive and they can relax some. I like my reputation of being aggressive. I have one judge trying to avoid interpreting a statute for fear he'll get it wrong. He knows I will appeal him if he ignores the law in favor of the opposing pro se litigant. But I still fight for my clients who deserve it. The ones who don't, I'm not prepared and have no adequate argument to make for them. I cannot exactly help them when they won't help themselves. I had one client punish me for telling her something she did not want to hear by not returning my phone calls. Finally, on the eve of trial, she decided she better return my call. It was too late though. I could not do anything at that point. Yet, she views it as it being my fault.

I take my job seriously and I work hard at what I do. Just because "Staff Attorney at Legal Aid" follows my name does NOT automatically mean I am a substandard attorney. In fact, I have an interview with a judge to be the judge's court attorney. My resume was 1 of 60, and I was selected for the interview without having any connections other than my reputation and the judge observing me in court before her. . .

[bobbbiez]

Swimmy, how are you sweetie?

Hope you make the get-together on the 27th. Be looking forward to seeing you and, besides, I might need a good attorney after I get done kicking Clipper's royal dupa. ;D

PS: We can discuss quickly what I have in mind then.

[Clipper]

Oh sure. Kick dirt on the legal aid attorneys and then suck up to him. LOLOL! I was sitting back waiting for his reply, and then yours, LOL. I knew he was in Binghamton, but I didn't know he was a legal aid attorney either sunshine.

SO, now we know that there is at least ONE GOOD legal aid attorney, haha.

I will be praying for ya to get that job Swimmy. You worked hard to get where you are now, and you will continue to work hard for her, so she would be very well served to give you the position.

Maybe I can call her for ya! Just drop a good word for ya. Like "hey babe, this is Clip from Tn. I think ya oughta give Swimmy Esquire that job. He is a cool guy, and the women love him! He would serve you well." Whaddaya think buddy?

[bobbbiez]

Swimmy, it was not intended to be a personal attack on your qualifications at all, but I stand by what I said.

In my many years, I have seen first hand how many of our legal aid attorneys handle their cases and not too many were of good judgment or were they truly concerned about their client's welfare. To those, it was just another case to them and they wanted to close that case with deals unjust to their client.

You stated a few cases where it's the client's fault but many are not and I'm not referring to your cases.
You and I can discuss it when we get together. I think even you will be surprised.

I know you are a good attorney and you are a young man with up standing values but not many in your field hold the same ethics or are of the same good morals you were raised with.
As you continue to practice law, I'm sure in your later years, you will form the same opinion as I have.

Our justice system has got to change and it has to change where there IS justice for all and not because one can afford a high price attorney who can devote all their time to the case.
I don't feel anyone can argue that fact.

[Clipper]

Sheesh, I just clicked on Utica a local area news, and the google ad at the top of the page is entitled "The Popular Prick", advertising some book or another. Ya never know what is going to pop up at the top of the page, LOL.

[dgriffin]

So much for taste in the public sphere. Tuning across the stations on my radio this afternoon, I heard Rush Limbo say something about "cutting his nuts off," and I don't think he was quoting.
Not many years ago, the FCC would have whacked him.

[bobbbiez]

Boy, how right you are Dave.

I can't believe what goes over the air waves today and what the FCC allows.
Wasn't that many years ago when they would come down and whacked you royally.

Even in the households when I was younger the "F" word would get you whacked across the room, (and not by the FCC), and God forbid if you ever said it in public. Now, it's part of everyday conversations in many households and in public, it's every other word.

Guess the times have changed and not for the better.

[bobbbiez]

lol!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Clipper, just got to read your post to me concerning Swimmy.

When have you ever known me "suck up" to anyone?
I have always been a very truthful person and said things as they were. I'm sorry some people don't want to hear the truth at times, but with me, I never felt like I had to be in a popularity contest and usually say the things people don't want to hear.

Geez, even when it comes to the police department, I won't defend the wrong. I have made as many enemies there as I've made friends and so be it. I'm a big girl and can handle being disliked for sticking to the truth. Just practicing what my Pop taught me and that's, "don't ever be afraid to stand up for what you believe is right, even if you find yourself standing alone."
My Pop was a very fair and smart man. Have practiced his advice all my life and will continue to do so. ;D

In the Barnes case, you've heard my stand, and I'm sure all will understand where I'm coming from when and if this case breaks wide open as it should. The kid was rail- roaded and I want to see ALL involved pay for his and his family's anguish. No matter who they are. Time will tell.

As far as Swimmy. I think the world of this kid and I'm sure he knows my comments were not directed to him. He is one in a million when it comes to an attorney and I hope he continues down the right path he has chosen. As he does, he'll find out as in all departments including police departments, there are just as many bad ones as well as the good. He is a very smart young man and I'm pretty sure he has some knowledge of that now.

He is in a profession that if you can't take the heat, then you better get your a** out of there.
Do I want to "suck up" to him? Hell no! If anything I want to be an instrument to help further educate him in a rather dog eat dog world. ;D That's really caring about someone and wanting to see them succeed in all they do.

Now for the next step, if we can find him a good, attractive, loyal, decent girlfriend, then I'll feel like we succeed in the right direction. ;D

[Clipper]

You are a "BIG" girl??? Let's not push it kiddo! Don't believe her swimmy. The first time I saw her, I said "hey sneakers, where are you going with that hat?" Then I noticed that there was a compact model blonde in between the sneakers and the hat. ( I do have to admit, that the blonde was pretty good looking, but NOISY)

[bobbbiez]

oh, how much I'm looking forward to our get-together!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ;D

Wonder if I still have those pointed boots hanging around? ;D

[bobbbiez]

Hey Clipper, I wonder if Ralph is getting bored?


Notice how I always get back to the original topic?
Means no flushing for Ralph.

I'm being such a good girl that it nauseates me.

[Clipper]

LOL! I think we probably just plain tired him out, and he gave up on us. He is working nights most likely. Gee, I can't wait until he shows up at Denny's with a rhinestone crapper under his arm, haha.

[bobbbiez]

Clipper dear friend , not wanting to be a glory seeker , I decided to rightfully step aside. I feel it's only fair and you truly deserve to be the lone recipient of that award this year. ;D

So Ralph, when you drag your tired dupa in from work tonight you can engrave that rhinestone crapper in Clipper's honor with my heart felt blessings.

Clipper, no "thank yous" needed. Afterall, what are friends for?

[Clipper]

I didn't think about the award angle. I thought he might bring it in case there was any flushing to do at the gathering. Hmm. An engraved commode. I would have to totally remodel the master bath to work that thing into the decor. Mirror tiles and crystal chandeliers. Marble floors. Jeez, this could cost me a mint. Ya sure YOU don't want it?