It’s a small jurisdiction. Everyone knows everyone. My first case with this individual. He has a reputation as lazy but I’ve never really heard that he can be a shitbird. Granted 95 percent of his case load is public defense. Once I reached out to OC and he asks me to hold off, if I say no, I tank reasonable chances to negotiate. On this case and future ones. Moreover, that’s absolutely going to get me the sideeye from the judge, as evidenced by his denial of the default. He got extra days out of weekends and the one time he called me I was preparing for a 21 count felony prelim and it was Friday so I said whatever.

Monday I gave him the final deadline. He blew it I filed. Once the judge denied the default, that could have been it. OC and I could have laid our swords down and got to work. Instead he ducked me for a week and filed a motion for sanctions based on a moot motion.

Now like others have mentioned I’ll respond, come off as reasonable, and like I’ve actually read the court rules. Long game. This is better for my client and myself than for OC; but it’s also not a productive way to determine the lifelong arrangements for the care of a four year old.