Paperwork

Started helping a little more around the office, and was given an assignment to retype of paperwork. It's not that difficult. The only hard part is that I have 50 page papers that I need to type up, and more than 2 boxes full of those documents. This has only taught me that patience is required for this job, also fast typing skills if one ever wants to see an end to them. 

Packet #1 of what feels like fifty thousand.

This is a great representation of what it felt like when I was typing up all those motions.

Blog 17: Fourth Interview Questions

1. What is your procedure when you first get a case?
2. What kind of questions do you ask when getting their side of the story?
3. What must someone look for to make sure a report is fair?
4. How does a plea bargain work?
5. Can you explain the different pleas?
6. What are motions?
7. What are the more typical offenses in misdemeanors?
8. How much time should an attorney spend on a case at minimum?
9. What are some of the things needed to research more on the case?
10. If your client truly believes he is innocent and would rather go to trial, what are some of the step you take to gather information?
11. Why would an attorney appeal to the jury emotionally rather than factually?
12. What do you do if a witness or the client himself says something that "screws him over"?
13. What are some strategies when at court?
14. What are some advice you give clients when going through a difficult time?
15. What are some questions clients ask when checking for experience of their attorney?
16. What do you do if you enter a trial you truly believe won't benefit your client?
17. What are some ways to improve the public image of public defenders?
18. What advice would you give to new attorneys?
19. What mindset should an attorney have when speaking with a client? At court?
20. How can a defense attorney best defend a client in court?
21. Is there anything else that you believe people should know to better understand your profession?

Blog 16: Advisory Meeting #2

What is the best way a defense attorney can defend her client in court?

Answer #2: A defense attorney must know everything pertaining the case.

• Someone was arrested for having brass knuckles, further research and evidence provided shows that it was just a four-finger ring, thus dismissing the case.
• mentor
• Double check the documents to make sure client is not being charged falsely. 
• "Defending a Criminal Case" (#25a)
• To talk regularly on their point of view on the case, it can contain vital information that can be beneficial.
• Interview 3, "Criminal Defense Strategies" (#28b)

Depending on the case, it can be possible to dimiss the case altogether and no need to go to court.

Blog 15: Independent Component 2 Approval

1. For my next 30 hours, I plan on helping out more at my mentor's office. This will allow me access to some old and new cases where I can read them and give my own opinion on what a client should do. I would then ask my mentor if I was correct, so I would be able to learn from mistakes.
2. To show for evidence, I hope to get more pictures at the office and of inside the courthouse, but it might be difficult because cameras aren't allowed inside.
3. Doing this will let me explore my topic more in depth. As I am reading cases, it would be up to me to decide on the best course of action, thus helping me answer my Essential Question.
4. Independent Component 2

Blog 14: Independent Component 1

Literal:

• I, Nisa Legaspino, affirm that I completed my independent component which represents 30 hours of work.
• My mentor, Ramiro Cisneros, helped me complete my independent component.
• (look to the right)
• Basically what I have done is help out at the office where I can, organize the office as well, and help with a few cases. In these situations, I would write notes of some of the cases he would get to make it easier for a judge to understand the case and put the situation in our favor. A few times my mentor would let me guess what would be the appropriate approach. 

Interpretive:

• picture evidence...

Daily report of what happens in the courts. Has all the cases and another way to record proceedings.

Inside of the Daily Appellate Report. Would read these when writing notes on getting an appeal or to organize the files.

Paperwork that defense attorneys' fill out concerning information about the client and their case. It is blank do to privacy issues, but this is something that I would learn to read.

Applied:

• This has helped me with the foundation of my senior topic because it has shown me how organized and busy a public defender may be, depending on the type of crimes you handle. Also, to always work at the best of your abilities because these clients are putting their faith in you. This is essential to coming up with possible answers since I can get more of a personal experience of what being a public defender it like.

Blog 13: Lesson 2 Reflection

1. What I am proud of the most is that people were engaged in my activity since I included names so they could relate to it more. Also, that they understood the presentation enough to answer the scenarios correctly.
2.  
1. I would give my presentation something like a P.
2. I mentioned my mentor, a published resource, my activity and hook engages the audience which got them a little more interested since it had their names in it. 
3. What worked for me was when I was ending my presentation, persuading the audience that public defenders are people that truly want to help you, not someone who is against you. Also, that they can walk away with at least more than they originally knew about the judicial system.
4. If I could change something, I would make sure to define all the terms I used so I can properly answer any questions they might have. ie Carlos asking about what a "Bar" is.
5. My possible answer #2 would be having the case itself be dismissed so both the client and public defender won't have to deal with it anymore.