Public Defense

Palladino is a famous investigator from San Francisco (Google him for more info) who is well known for his involvement in high profile civil and criminal cases, apparently a client was (still is?) President Bill Clinton (apparently he can neither confirm or deny it). He is an all around "character", who seems to be larger than life with a bit of an ego, he is also sharp as a tack. I would also describe him as a snazzy dresser, and extremely likable AND entertaining. I've known people that have worked with him in the past and although I've never actually met him, I understand that his great reputation is seems to be very well deserved.

Before I get into it too much, I should explain that I am currently in Monterey, California for the annual Capital Case Defense Seminar. I look forward to this every year, although this year I had to register last minute because I wasn't sure I was going to be able to make it due to scheduling issues.

Here is a short summary from the California Attorneys For Criminal Justice (co-sponsors with the California Public Defender Association) website:

Each year CACJ, along with the California Public Defenders Association, co-sponsors the Capital Case Defense Seminar in Monterey, during the Presidents' Day Weekend in February. The four-day program is an intensive educational opportunity for those involved in death penalty defense and it includes lectures, plenary sessions, and specialized workshops. With last years seminar attendance topping 1,500, the CACJ/CPDA Capital Case Defense Seminar is the largest of its type held in the nation. Attendance is limited to the criminal defense bar and associated professionals.

I went to the Investigating Informants session where Palladino was one of the key speakers. As I watched from the back of the auditorium, filled with a good sized audience comprised of half defense attorneys and half investigators (Private and Public), Palladino started to share a few war stories and some insights into his approach on cases involving informants.

I watched Palladino in admiration as he paced the stage in an expensive gray suit, a sharp striped dress shirt and reddish-brown leather loafers that I would have to work for a week to afford (maybe more). I say that I watched in admiration because he shared his war stories AND tips on working informant cases with what is very clearly, a great amount of dedication and passion.

It was also a good reminder to me that as Public Defender Investigators, sometimes we leave the, "Out Of The Box" investigation techniques to those in the private world. I fault the fact that many PDI'S are straight out of law enforcement or law school and they never had to cut their investigative teeth in the private world where the competition can be tremendous.

I won't go on any tirade but I urge any fellow investigator to do more Out Of The Box investigations and get out of your comfort zones. Damn it I'm fired up to do some good work this week!

I know I'm kind of just ending this prematurely but as always, more later...