I've been having a really hard time posting anything the past couple of weeks. My lack of blog diligence has nothing to do with not having anything to write about. As a matter of fact, I have too much to write about. To be honest, I have a hard time blogging when there is so much work to be done. I can make the time to blog, but I feel guilty. Right now, I could be studying the mechanics of a BAC datamaster or reading case law. But I need to vent. So here I am. Lucky you.
Every day, a new client, a new story, and sometimes a new tragedy. I often ask myself, "Why are you doing this Christian?" I could make more money in real estate and I wouldn't have to visit clients in jail anymore. My biggest worry might be a broken boiler as a real estate investor. And that can be fixed with a phone call. And I used to be a contractor. I can fix or build almost anything.
I blame my mother, Barbara deFrancqueville. Barb always insisted I go to law school even when I was successful as a musician and a carpenter. She is the biggest inspiration in my life next to my wife. My mom is the most compassionate person I have ever known. For many years she worked as a case worker for the Child Protective Services unit of Madison County New York. I think she took home $700 every two weeks for that job. And in rural Madison county, that meant being paid little more than minimum wage to deal with people representing the underclass of the underclass. She worked because she believed in helping people. My mother really believes in the teachings of Jesus. She is not "religious" in the sense that she is a "bible thumper". She actually lives her life like Jesus. She always gives to those in need and has the humanity to feel compassion for those society says we should hate. Did I mention she raised three babies when her alcoholic husband left her? Or that she went to college and got a bachelors degree while raising a family of little kids? You get the picture. My mom is a saint.
Anyway, back to me. I have a case that I'm actually losing sleep over. The prosecutor is a shark. And he's throwing the book at my client. My client got caught with a bunch of drugs. He is not a drug dealer. I represent tons of people accused of drug or marijuana possession and most prosecutors and courts are sympathetic and are willing to give my guy a second chance if he or she addresses their substance abuse problem. Nearly every first time misdemeanor possession case is dismissed. Things are a little different in felony possession land. Especially when the prosecutor is a "drug warrior". When She/He has the "drugs are bad okay" mentality. Punish the addict. Drug prohibition is genocide. Our government has a great deal of blood on its hands because of drug prohibition.
But I get it now. Its all politics. The DA wants to say he or she is tough on drugs. The elected judge wants to say the same thing. The electorate likes to hear the buzz words about crime prevention. Meanwhile, innocent lives are destroyed because some people have the audacity to grow their own drugs in their gardens. I call that the "Audacity of Dope". (Kudos to Obama for at least stopping the dispensary raids in Cali). Meanwhile, pharmaceuticals that our tax dollars buy are creating a nation of zombies.
My clients who are caught with drugs for personal use are being prosecuted for political purposes. Shame on the DA who prosecutes for political gain.
Thanks for listening and please consider the advice below:
