Why can't people stand by appointments?

[kb01]

Originally Posted By: ekpolk

Funny how such things work, isn't it. . .

I have a guy set for sentencing on a burglary case tomorrow. A jury found him guilty a month or so ago. The criminal record summary in his PSI (presentence investigation) takes up FIVE pages and goes back to 1991 when he was still a juvenile. He is eligible for an enhanced sentence (up to 30 years) as an HFO (habitual felony offender). And somehow, his plight is now my fault. . . Nevermind making appointments -- I count at least fifteen episodes of breaking into, and cleaning out, other people's homes. There's responsibility for you.

But hey, I'll never back down on protecting our constitution -- even if my client is a total [censored].


In all seriousness... How in the world do you keep this stuff only at work and avoid taking it out on your family? I can't even imagine dealing with the people you mention; I'd probably either have a mental breakdown or strangle someone after a month of it.

 

[Stu_Rock]

ekpolk, thanks for doing that job--it is an important service you provide. Everyone, guilty or innocent, deserves to have an advocate in the courtroom.

 

[NJC]

Originally Posted By: Panzerman
Bad upbringing.

Or improper training. Keeping your word is VERY important, to best of one's ability. Otherwise if appt can't be made, it's courtesy to call.

 

[PF52]

I'm one of those who arrives an hour early and sits in the car until its time to "be there".

Social events are another issue entirely. Suppose someone announces they're having a party at, say, 8PM. I learned long ago that if I show up precisely at 8, I'll be the first one there, possible to the point of catching the hosts unawares ("what are you doing here so early?"). I eventually learned to show up a half hour later.

 

[Mr_Joe]

Most people seem to be late often.

 

[ekpolk]

Originally Posted By: kb01
. . .
In all seriousness... How in the world do you keep this stuff only at work and avoid taking it out on your family? I can't even imagine dealing with the people you mention; I'd probably either have a mental breakdown or strangle someone after a month of it.


It's actually a skill they teach down here to flight students. When I came through, they called it "compartmentalization". You leave home, spouse, bills, etc. behind when you get in the cockpit. When you go home, you leave the cockpit behind (and all your "collateral duties"). You're right, it could drive one crazy. Of course, OTOH, working with such folks also allows me to realize that some of the things that drive us "crazy" about "normal" kids, friends, and spouses; are indeed trivial. For a while, I represented a guy who's on FL death row. He and a buddy killed a girl, cut off part of her leg and took it home to barbecue it (thankfully, they were arrested before they could fire up the Weber...). ANYTHING my teenagers do (or have done so far) just makes me laugh in comparison.

 

[ekpolk]

Originally Posted By: Stu_Rock
ekpolk, thanks for doing that job--it is an important service you provide. Everyone, guilty or innocent, deserves to have an advocate in the courtroom.


Thank you for noticing and caring about our most important law -- the Constitution. Most people just seem to want to stone guys like me (clients included, sadly, and usually right after I tell them the truth about their chances at trial...).

 

[Vilan]

"The problem with being punctual is that nobody's around to appreciate it." -- Someone

 

[yeti]

crinkles -- it's a disrespect issue. if one cannot make an appointment, at least call before the appointment time and explain.you gave him a second chance when you called him 1 hour after the scheduled time.i would not have called him at all.
one poster stated that the first one with cash takes it away.that, or a deposit holds said item for an agreed upon time frame.