Blog 12: Third Interview Questions

1. What is the best way a defense attorney can defend her client in court? Why?
2. Are there different strategies or techniques used when defending a client in misdemeanors or felonies? If so, please list them.
3. What would you advise your client to do to NOT make their situation any worse than it already is?
4. How would you ensure your client got the mandatory-minimum, and not anything more if convicted?
5. Do believe mandatory-minimums are a weapon for prosecutors who want to be unreasonable and unjust? Why?
6. Can you give me some examples of a few times where a case was dismissed or anything that called for a plea bargain?
7. Can you give me any scenarios or cases that you wouldn’t mind sharing that I could use in my presentation?
8. What are some of your strategies when negotiating a plea bargain?
9. How would you know if you are getting a fair bargain or not?

Spring Cleaning

I don't know exactly why we cleaning the office, but we are and I was used as a pack mule. I don't mind, but it was fairly busy in the last few room. From what I remember, they are most likely expanding the office. This just goes to show how organized attorneys have to be or situations like these can ruin your system.

I am supposed to sort through all of this! 

Helped clean this area up.

Blog 11: Mentorship 10 hours check

1. I am doing my mentorship at the Los Angeles County Public Defender 's Office located near the South Pomona courthouse.
2. My contact is my mentor, Ramiro Cisneros.
3. The total amount of time I completed for mentorship would be 10 hours and 50 minutes.
4. Within those 10+ hours, I mostly helped him retype his all his files, organize the library, find documents, and take notes whenever we go to the court room.

Senior Project, The Holiday

1. Over the break, I was given a few articles to read by my mentor since I would not be able to visit the office with him and his family out of town. I took his advise and read 'How to Kill a Mockingbird', because it was one of the many books that inspired him to become a lawyer. The point of this was to hopefully find a connection, or understand his passion in this career.

2. The most important thing I learned is making sure that I know most of the penal codes. My mentor gave me scenarios in order to make sure I can get an idea of how defense lawyers think. My most important source would be my mentor (via email) as he was the one who thought of the different situations.

3. I would ask one of my mentor's colleagues in the same department, names of whom I do not currently know. I would also ask a defense lawyer who handles juvenile or felony cases to get a different perspective. Some questions I would ask would be:

• What would you consider a "lost cause"?
• What do you do if your client doesn't take your advise?
• What is considered a win? A lose? 
• What would you advise your client to do to NOT make their situation any worse than it already is?
• What is the best way for a public defender can minimize her client's punishment?
• Can these things also be used in juvenile and felony cases?