I spent a summer during law school working as an intern for our Courthouse where we provided assistance to litigants representing themselves in family law matters. Basically, I would go to court and assist with filling out paperwork. What struck me the most was the inability of people, who were once happily in love, to…
Sometimes a defendant will waive their Constitutional Right to a jury trial and agree to have the case decided by a Judge. This happens for a variety of reasons. Sometimes it is a complicated legal argument, or the case could involve some highly inflamatory facts and a defendant may be concerned about a jury's reaction.…
Remember when I told that DUI's are where new criminal prosecutors often cut their teeth on jury trials? Jury trial #3 involved a DUI where the defendant had been pulled over for speeding, he exhibited routine objective signs of intoxication, admitted to having 1 beer with dinner, and had marginal success on the field sobriety…
Driving under the influence is one of the most common jury trials to cut your teeth on as a new prosecutor. I got my chance my second trial in. The case essentially revolved around the discovery of an abandoned vehicle in the roadway which was had major damage to the driver's side of the vehicle,…
Hopelessly Devoted 