A Public Defender's Life in Alaska: Public Defense

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Public Defense

A Public Defender's Life in Alaska

Post Frequency: 4.3/day

Last Entry: December 10, 2018 at 17:21:00

So, March 10. -4 when I went to

Posted on March 10, 2011
So, March 10. -4 when I went to work today. I'm not sure how much longer I can take it. I'm tired of fighting the cold. I'm tired of being broke and living in a crappy little house. Everyone in the place is sick, and I'm sure that isn't helping my mood much...

So, March. Sigh. I love living

Posted on March 02, 2011
So, March. Sigh. I love living in Alaska 305 days or so a year. Really. But March and April suck. This should be a Spring month. It was -8 when I went to work today. -8. I know, I know. I've bitched about it before. But it gets harder and harder each year...

So, I predicted that 2011 would

Posted on February 23, 2011
So, I predicted that 2011 would be a good year for me and my family. I had a few pending matters in the Superior Court that I felt strongly about. Today the Superior Court ruled as follows "The Court finds that limiting consideration of a child's intent to remain in Alaska solely on the immigration intent of their parents violates the equal protection clauses of the United States and Alaska constitutions...

So, I have been thinking a lot

Posted on February 16, 2011
So, I have been thinking a lot over the last couple of days about what it means to be a criminal defense lawyer. About what our job is and what it should be. I came across this decription today: "we hold the line against police and government intrusions...

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So, thank God it is a long weekend.

Posted on February 15, 2011
So, thank God it is a long weekend. I got a phone call today that might change our lives. It's time to seek counsel. So I'm going to Bainbridge Island in Washington to see my buddy Jeremy. That's all I can say.

So, sometimes you just have to

Posted on February 11, 2011
So, sometimes you just have to fight like a cornered badger. I can't save the world. I can't stop the People from allowing the Courts and Legislatures from taking their rights a little at a time. I can't prevent all gross injustice. But what I can do is fight like a cornered badger when I have to...

So, here is an example of why

Posted on February 04, 2011
So, here is an example of why I am finding this job harder and harder to do. There is a murder trial going on in Alaska. A re-trial in fact. See http://www.adn.com/2011/02/04/1684477/police-chief-said-he-lied-in-first.html It came to light today that a main police officer witness LIED during the first trial...

So, in a different vein, I finally

Posted on January 30, 2011
So, in a different vein, I finally got off my butt this winter and did something. Not a full blown adventure, mind you, but I got out of the house. We took the kids to the local winter carnival where they sat on ice bears, rode down slides made of ice, ate hot dogs and jumped in a bouncy house...

So, I want to scream sometimes.

Posted on January 25, 2011
So, I want to scream sometimes. Seriously. Let me give everyone out there two pieces of free legal advice. First, stop consenting to searches! Just stop. I don't care what the cops 'threaten' you with. Better to pay a tow bill or spend a night in jail than consent...

So, I haven't been blogging much.

Posted on January 21, 2011
So, I haven't been blogging much. It is a combination of everyone in the house being sick as hell, the lack of 'adventures' this winter and the general sense of dissatisfaction that I am suffering from. I asked to be transferred out of Kenai to Ketchikan but, after adding up the cost of moving, had to decline for now...

So, every once in a while I just

Posted on January 13, 2011
So, every once in a while I just hit a brick wall as a Public Defender. It all just feels so helpless and frustrating. From the place I work, to the clients and the general state of the law itself. Take for example, this case. http://www.vpr.net/npr/132869081/ When the Supreme Court allows this it will mean that ALL the cops will have to do to kick down your door and put a gun in your face is say they heard a toilet flush...

So, happy new year. 2011 should

Posted on January 03, 2011
So, happy new year. 2011 should be a big year for me and my family. First, the Court should rule in the next few weeks on the girls PFD argument. If they prevail, and the State does not appeal, the State owes the girls around $9,000 or so. I don't have to tell you what a big difference that would make, not to mention the $3000 or more that would come this fall...

So, Merry Christmas. I hope that

Posted on December 26, 2010
So, Merry Christmas. I hope that everyone had a good day. Once again, as I sit here with a belly full of beef and whiskey, having spent the day with family and friends, I am reminded how lucky we are. We may not have everything that we want, but we have everything that we need...

So, I thought I would save a few

Posted on December 24, 2010
So, I thought I would save a few buck for Christmas with a toy chest for the girls. Umm, no. Even though I was only "re-finishing" it, it turned into a huge project. I had to take it completely apart to replace rot. I decided to replace rotten wood with cedar...

So, Gold Rush: Alaska on Discovery

Posted on December 21, 2010
So, Gold Rush: Alaska on Discovery Channel. I love it. Yes, yes there are many haters out there. People who say they aren't "Alaskans". True. People who say they are chewing up the land. True. People who say they are excessively jumpy about bears. Yup...

So, these aren't the greatest photos

Posted on December 18, 2010
So, these aren't the greatest photos but I wanted the girls to have them. I argued their PFD appeal last week. The girls did great. At the end the Judge complimented them for being so well behaved. The matter is under submission. I don't know what will happen or what the end result will be...

So, Sarah Palin's Alaska. How can

Posted on December 15, 2010
So, Sarah Palin's Alaska. How can I put this nicely? Hmmm. Ok. I got it. What a dumb bitch. I have a number of problems with this show, beyond the obvious trash TV quality to it. I must admit I have been drawn to it a few times, like a fly to garbage...

So winter time is for sleeping

Posted on December 11, 2010
So winter time is for sleeping in Alaska. Life continues here. The girls are excited about Christmas. They will have a good one. I have been re-finishing a toy box for them. Their English family has sent an absurd amount of stuff. As far as I'm concerned, a nice beef dinner (rare in this house) is all we need...

So, I haven't been writing much.

Posted on December 04, 2010
So, I haven't been writing much. I am at a strange place in life. It is a mixure of being bored and overwhelmed at the same time. I am bored because I don't really have anyone here to do the things that I want to do things with. The one chance I had to get out (I would have been in Kodiak hunting deer right now), I could not do because I had Mr...

So, happy belated Thanksgiving.

Posted on November 27, 2010
So, happy belated Thanksgiving. I hope everyone took the time to be truly grateful for all we have in this country. And for what we each have. Maybe it just a product of getting older but I am more aware that the day is coming when I just won't be here anymore...

So, I have to wonder if everyone

Posted on November 17, 2010
So, I have to wonder if everyone who has a third child goes through this? The shift in family dynamics? The acting up of the now middle child. The extra time it takes to do everything. The shift in responsibilities. The constant wondering over how to pay for everything...

So, this post is dedicated to my

Posted on November 10, 2010
So, this post is dedicated to my four old daughter. Her new deal is taking photos. With my camera. Ouch.... But what the hell....here are some she took. Not bad huh? I think one of the best things about having kids is the wonder of what they will do...

So, winter arrived over the night.

Posted on November 06, 2010
So, winter arrived over the night. The first real snow of the year. Now we settle in for 6 months. Talk about timing. I just had the money to put the snows tires on. Last night, Bill and I finished clearing off some firewood from a 5 acre lot. The freezers are full...

So, this is dead on. Can't you

Posted on November 05, 2010
So, this is dead on. Can't you get me probation? And I love the "in my training and experience". There isn't a judge alive who doesn't fall for that like Oprah on a baked ham.

So, with the first snow came my

Posted on November 02, 2010
So, with the first snow came my Sasha Jade. And just like that I was in love with a 19 inch 7 lb 1.5 oz little girl. The newest Alaskan. Despite what the State says, I vow to my dying breath to fight the assertion that you are second class because of my citizenship...

So, I butchered my first DLP moose

Posted on October 31, 2010
So, I butchered my first DLP moose today. It was unexpected. I was trying to get the place ready for winter when I got a call. What is a DLP moose? That is an animal shot in 'defense of life and/or property". It is perfectly legitimate as long as you say it normally...

So, those of you who know me would

Posted on October 24, 2010
So, those of you who know me would be shaking your heads right now. Even for me this is bad. For those of you who don't know, I have the worst luck in the world with anything 'mechanical'. Even when the stuff is new. I have had mechanics shake their head and say 'I have never seen that'...

So, I am glad I am not Steven Hayes

Posted on October 21, 2010
So, I am glad I am not Steven Hayes lawyer. Seriously. Rape, torture and murder of a family in a home invasion. The Petit family murders. I may be a defense lawyer but I strongly believe that these two men deserve to die. Quickly. Yes, yes, I know the problems with the death penalty...

So, for the first time in a long

Posted on October 17, 2010
So, for the first time in a long time, I have nothing to write about. Winter (i.e snow) is not here yet. Neither is Sasha. I have settled into fall. I am not having 'adventures'. The boat is in the shop. And everything I am doing is routine: work, gathering wood, family time, work around the house...

So, I am back from my annual Public

Posted on October 09, 2010
So, I am back from my annual Public Defender Conference. My fifth. I learned some things. Among the most important thing is that some of the lawyers I work with think I should not have this blog. At all. Apparently there is a feeling that everytime I am less than enthusiastic about my life, that 'negativity' is imputed to the Agency...

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