TLC_034: COLLATERAL CONSEQUENCES of a CRIMINAL CONVICTION

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GavelHittingPersonIn This Episode: I pull back the curtain on the Collateral Consequences of a Criminal Conviction. What rights and privileges are affected beyond the punishment imposed under the law. We explore gun ownership issues, denial of government benefits, licensing issues as well as immigration issues and the two most egregious ones in my mind: disenfranchisement and exclusion from jury duty.
To see the ACLU map of the UNITED STATES color coded by which states have felony disenfranchisement, click HERE.
 TRIAL LAWYER MENTOR Quick Tip:
I talk briefly about deciding WHO the HERO of your story is and why it is so important to have one in order to get your point across effectively.

 LAWYERS and LAW STUDENTS:

Click here to sign up for our free newsletter where I share in depth tips and strategies for mastering the Art of the Jury Trial. And be sure to check back soon for a special offer exclusively for attorneys!

Download AUDIO here (MP3)

 

TLC:033 PUBLIC DEFENDERS and PRIVATE LAWYERS

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PublicPrivateIn This Episode: I pull back the curtain on the difference between public defenders, appointed counsel and private lawyers. So often the injustices involved in the system are blamed on the performance of a lawyer rather than an inherent bias in our society against those we choose to marginalize. The episode explores why it is so necessary to adequately fund offices that provide defense for those defendants who cannot afford to hire their own attorney.
The Rand Study of the Philadelphia Public Defender System can be found here.
 TRIAL LAWYER MENTOR Quick Tip:

There was no Tip this week due to the length of the episode, however I do highly recommend Malcolm Gladwell’s latest book DAVID and GOLIATH. There is a link below to purchase the book which has an overall theme of understanding why the underdog is so often successful seemingly against all odds as well as a truly insightful discussion about California’s Three Strikes Law.

 LAWYERS and LAW STUDENTS:

Click here to sign up for our free newsletter where I share in depth tips and strategies for mastering the Art of the Jury Trial. And be sure to check back soon for a special offer exclusively for attorneys!

Download AUDIO here (MP3)

To read the CALIFORNIA LAWYER magazine cover story, scroll down to the post below or click HERE.

 

David and Goliath: Underdogs, Misfits, and the Art of Battling Giants

CALIFORNIA LAWYER

Screen Shot 2014-04-01 at 6.16.12 AMI was honored recently to be featured in a cover story about the Los Angeles County Public Defenders Office. We recently celebrated 100 years of zealous advocacy on behalf of indigent clients. As a trial lawyer, I would have preferred more mention of the trials that we do, but I think this does shed some light on the issue of plea bargains. As you may know from my episode on plea bargains I think the practice is a necessary evil in our current system, but I would like to see it reformed to be more transparent and so that  defendants are not pressured into plea deals by draconian maximum sentences and exorbitant bail.

To read the article from California Magazine, click HERE.