Stress

I know being a lawyer would be stressful, but I wasn't prepared for how much stress it actually came with. I was given a few files on a couple of court cases a client had; said client wanted to expunge his crimes to apply for a nursing job. My assignment was to write notes on what happened in every court appearing he had. Doing this, I was helping my mentor type out a guide for the judge because it would make it easier the judge to understand what has happened in the past. The benefit to this is that it would make the judge a little more willing to expunge the crimes since he didn't have to read through stacks of papers. The stressful part was that The format I showed to my mentor was never good enough; also, that whenever I thought I was done, I received more documents.

No wonder people hate desk jobs!

EQ

1. I reviewed the rule of three for writing an EQ.

2. a. What is the most important factor in healthy weight loss?

• No, this doesn't meet the criteria because it to to vague on what age group and other confounding factors that would help the reader know what to consider healthy weight loss.

    b. What is most important to securing a conviction in a criminal investigation?

• No, this doesn't meet the criteria because the wording of the question doesn't make enough emphasis on part of securing a conviction the reader should look at. The answer should look for multiple possibilities, but it is to vague.

    c. What is most important in creating a hairstyle that best satisfies a customer?

• Yes, this meets the criteria because it is specific enough in who the hairstyle should satisfy, it is not a yes/no question, and allows you to take a stance.

    d. How can an Anesthesiologist best treat chronic pain?

• Yes, this meets the criteria because the way it is worded, it allows for there to be a list of possible answers.

3. What is the most important skill for a Public Defender to possess to successfully win a case?

Possible Answer

On October 22nd, I was helping out my mentor organize the office before I asked him a few more questions I had based from the assignments he gave me. As we talked, I explained what the first 10 minute presentation we had, he said that analytical skills were another skill that any lawyer should have. It is important because it helps the public defender find statements or facts that aren't consistant throughout the police report or any other documentation presented at court. He then proceeded to let me read the police reports on one of his recent cases. I was to take notes and talk about my thought process in how I would handle it. Both my mentor and I were proud of myself that I thought of the same things that my mentor has on how to handle the case!

So far, so good!

Research and Working EQ

1. What is the most important factor for a public defender to win a case?

2.

• Communication skills the result of the case is on how well the attorney can communicate with either a judge or jury in proving that their client is not guilty. Also, when sharing a case, miscommunication between coworkers makes things difficult for the public defenders and defendant.
• Experience is important because a new attorney can make some decisions they are not to confident in and make things worse for the client. Having experience also makes cases goes faster since they know what they are doing. 

3. The most important source I have had so far would be my mentor because in the second interview, he indirectly has given my ideas on what could possibly be the answer to my EQ.

4.My mentor is Ramiro Cisneros. I am working with him at his office located in Pomona under Los Angleles County Public Defender's Office. This helps me answer my EQ because I will be able to get a first hand experience in observing what skills they use in court and how they prepare before a case.

Independent Component 1 Approval

1.  Describe in detail what you plan to do for your 30 hours.

• Since I am barely starting to work with Mr. Cisnero, I will be filing some of the cases, organizing his office, and shadowing him around the building. If I am able, I would be allowed to be in some of the court proceedings. As time passes and I am working with him longer, I will gain more responsibilities. 

2.  Discuss how or what you will do to meet the expectation of showing 30 hours of evidence.

• To show evidence of 30 hours of work, I will provide pictures (provided my mentor approves of some of them be allowed to be posted).

3.  And explain how what you will be doing will help you explore your topic in more depth.

• Working under Mr. Cisnero will help me explore my topic more in depth because it will show me the busy and intense life style lawyers have. It will allow me to understand the pressures and expectations that public defenders face when in court. 

Topic Switch!

Can you believe it? Neither can I! I have changed my Senior Project topic from Accounting to Public Defender.

Anyways, I chose to change my topic for a few reasons: 

1. My original mentor was not able to help me over the school year, so it was in my best interest to switch mentors.
2. This leads to the next unfortunate event, that all other Accounting mentors I had in mind are all too far or also too busy to help me.
3. A family friend of mine was able to use her connections and find me a mentor at the Pomona court building, Ramiro Cisnero. 
4. Since Mr. Cisnero is not an accountant, I changed my senior topic to Public Defender. 

I do not mind changing my topic because I enjoy watching a lot of Law & Order, enhancing my interest in the topic of what being an attorney is like. Another reason is that even before the mock court case in Mrs. Edwards' class, I have reveled in arguing with others, and winning said arguments. I predict that this topic will be compelling to both research and present on. 

Second Interview Questions (Revised)

1.  Who is your mentor and where do they work?

• My mentor is Ramiro Cisnero who works at the Pomona court building.

2.  What five questions will ask them about their background?

• What experiences helped you prepare you for the work you have now?
• What qualities were your employers looking for when you applied to work there?
• What were some of the most significant courses you took in college?
• Was there anyone to help guide or mentor you through your own path to become a public defender, and what did they help you with?
• What would you say would be your greatest achievement?
• What made you want to become a public defender?