In case you did not know, my first gig as a graduate is being an assistant for an attorney in downtown Houston. Its not much, but its a step in the right direction. I am learning SOOOO much everyday and I would be lying if I said that i did not enjoy the environment.
My time at work up until yesterday has given me a certain perspective that I would like to label as "safe". I answer phones, collect payments, draft court documents, and summarize new and old cases. With that, I'm afraid that there is a certain numbness to the people's lives that seem to only exist on the papers being shuffled back and forth across my desk.
Yesterday, though tired from the weekend, I had the opportunity to shadow the attorney in trial. Now, the attorney that I work for practices family law, for the most part, but in this particular case it was a criminal charge. The defendant, the person in which my attorney was representing, was charged with assault by a co-worker. When I arrived at the court house I was introduced to the man, 37, and his family. I would describe the family as a typical deep southern family; loud praying mother and silent, but wise father. In the witness room my attorney and the family began to discuss the many scenarios that could possibly pan out within the next few hours.
The family was very distraught with all that was going on. The mother would interject shouts of praise and prayer throughout the discussion.
Father "well what if he was to plead guilty would he have to ch...."
Mother interrupts, "PLEAD nuttin! we have JE-SUS!! C'mon now, ou given the devil too much credit!!"
The discussion was mostly filled with personal anecdotes from the defendants parents in an attempt to impart some wisdom to their son. When we left the room the family delved into serious prayer.
I say all that, to say this. As simple as it may sound, I did not realize the effect the system can have on someone's life or the effect (affect? I neva know) it has on the lives of the people around them. I also noticed and appreciated the degree of understanding and counseling skills an attorney must have in order to connect with clients and in a way ease some of their worries. In this regard I think I connect really well with people, and I enjoy doing so.
Also, I observed, for the 1st time, inmates being sentenced before a judge. They were walked-in in groups. They stood before the judge. The DA would hand the judge paperwork on each inmate, and the judge then would issue a sentence.
"3 days...6 months....3 years... "
Often times the judge would not even look up at the inmates. Each inmate would take the news differently, most would be deeply upset and it would be apparent by their countenance. I got goosebumps whenever I saw tears or serious faces of disappointment. I cannot believe that All of the inmates that were sentenced yesterday were bad ppl. Some had lesser offenses than others, but they all seem to be equalized when they put on that orange jumpsuit. As soon as they put that suit on they were criminal and immediately lost respect no matter the offense. At the end of the day, the client mentioned at the beginning of this passage was given a deal that was well within his liking and he and his family went home happy.
You may not feel what I felt this day by just reading this, but just know that I think that people take advantage of being on the good side of the law. The system is a very cold entity that does not care where u came from, what good you have done, who your parents are, etc...
All I could think about was helping... Helping people navigate this unforgiving system and getting people the second chances that they may deserve. As an attorney I know that that would be possible.
Feels good to finally know your desired destination. You dont feel so lost.... be free.
-Ono
