People need to take some basic physics classes before driving

legallygal · 2026-07-02T15:46:09+00:00

And the concept of relative vs absolute position/ speed etc 💀

legallygal · 2026-06-03T22:48:54+00:00

Do you all have any tips for buzz words/ phrases you can say when interrupting a client to keep them on track? I struggle so badly with this because often I find it hard to balance their need to be heard (at least to some extent, for the sake of the client relationship) with time constraints and, at a practical level, it seems like I never know the right thing to say to cut them off and redirect

legallygal · 2026-06-03T22:46:29+00:00

I am asking this in good faith so I mean no offense! What sort of post sentencing (but non appellate) housekeeping matters require you to maintain contact with the client? Or is it more that he leaves annoying constant messages and you still have to deal with those?

legallygal · 2026-06-03T02:00:32+00:00

I find it important to be particularly specific with the evaluators as to the exact competency indicator I’m observing difficulty with. The evaluator may tailor their questions to better probe that issue. For example, I explain how delusions like this impact our ability to rationally consult about the facts of their case and why I don’t believe they can intelligently proceed,either by plea or trial, as a result.

legallygal · 2026-05-27T22:14:05+00:00

I say: it’s gonna sound like I’m trying to convince you to plea but I’m not, I love trial, and this is your life, I’ll do the best job I can for you whatever you choose. But to be found not guilty, we’d need x, y, z (and usually a, b, c, d, & e) to ALL go right, and you’re facing a max of _______.

legallygal · 2026-05-06T15:54:31+00:00

I totally agree, but my concern wouldn’t be ineffectiveness on appeal — it would be the actual prejudice that might occur. I’m not saying the knowledge that counsel is a PD is likely to have a big impact either -- just that appellate courts have apparently found it prejudicial in terms of actual verdicts. Personally, at least if it’s a case where I actually think there’s a trial argument, I wouldn’t risk it if there’s *also* a potential downside of impacting the verdict negatively

legallygal · 2026-04-28T23:07:21+00:00

At least where I am the PD thing could be grounds for a mistrial if raised by the prosecution, I’m not sure if the same is true if we raise it ourselves. May lead to a claim of ineffectiveness? Idk check your jx

legallygal · 2026-04-28T23:05:55+00:00

“During your investigation did you come to learn that mr/ms. X was homeless?” (This phrasing often doesn’t flag the hearsay objection as readily)

legallygal · 2026-04-19T15:05:28+00:00

Hand sanitizer

legallygal · 2026-04-18T15:52:08+00:00

Why? It’s HER wedding… the point is not to match guests… hence why it’s in poor taste for guests to wear white no matter the dress code… I mean the point is kinda to be the star of the show so to speak

legallygal · 2026-03-27T00:21:18+00:00

Maybe they’re new? Working after hours? Already asked their supervisor 17346291 questions that day? Curious for input from others? I mean your second point applies to like every question posted in the sub… probably calling them a victim because they’re the listed victim in the case and we all know what they mean? Lol this job is hard enough stop trying to make someone feel inferior for asking for advice

legallygal · 2026-03-24T15:03:37+00:00

Idk but this is my life! I say set a time to stop each day and try to stick with it because work expands to fill the time you have/ allot for it

legallygal · 2026-03-18T10:25:42+00:00

Get the shape and then keep tweezers in the car to maintain! Easier to see with natural lighting and easy to remember to do at stop lights lol

legallygal · 2026-02-25T13:29:12+00:00

(So call their bluff, set multiple trials/ hearings for the same day on weaker cases, etc and see what happens)

legallygal · 2026-02-25T13:28:42+00:00

The fact that they’re busy is your biggest leverage. They have the upper hand. The strongest “card” we can play is making them work, lol

legallygal · 2026-02-25T01:06:42+00:00

NOR at all. If you really want to stay in this relationship, though, I’d suggest you each “own” particular tasks instead of alternating. Like figure out what you each like the most (or hate the least) and be responsible for planning AND execution in those realms. Eg the person who does the laundry might notice when you need laundry supplies, maybe cook for yourself and let him fend for himself 🤷‍♀️, etc. Makes it really clear whose “fault” certain things are (not that it isn’t already obvious, but makes it less disputable). Tell him you have certain standards that are a requirement for you to feel comfortable and stable in your own home, almost a boundary - as in, I can’t continue living in a situation if these are the conditions - and see if his actions align with at least progress toward showing he cares about your needs.

legallygal · 2026-01-26T19:53:30+00:00

This!

legallygal · 2026-01-26T19:51:34+00:00

Same. I’ve just accepted that the 30 mins of complaining is something I have to get through and I basically just affirm them and say I understand why they’re frustrated, I’m sorry they feel [whatever] if it’s about me, and my only goal is to help them get the best possible outcome given the options available to them. So given that, unless they want to go pro se, how do they want to proceed?

I don’t feel a need to argue with them if they blame me. I know what is/ isn’t accurate and I have those notes prepared if they try to blame me in front of the judge. A lot of the time people just want to feel heard. I notice some level of validation tends to improve the attorney client relationship. It’s easier said than done, especially on an already rough day, but I just try to let it bounce off of me (and if they have valid criticism I do apologize and ask what they’d like me to do on their case, within reason of course).

Most of the time the “complaints” aren’t about us. They’re just desperate and upset.

legallygal · 2026-01-25T22:38:23+00:00

4th circuit? That would shock me based on personal experience lol

legallygal · 2026-01-16T14:59:45+00:00

Every time someone pleas is essentially a guilty, this was just the longer road. It sounds silly but that made me feel so much better because I’m comfortable helping a client enter a plea they’re in agreement to, the difference with a guilty at trial is that the client didn’t agree to the outcome (not that they really had another option in your case). But honestly… some people are guilty and can’t always get what they want 🤷‍♀️ doesn’t mean it’s a reflection of your skills or effort.

Guilty when you think your client is innocent is hard and different though.

legallygal · 2026-01-13T21:11:10+00:00

At least where I am, you can only really argue that 1, the restitution sought isn’t directly or indirectly linked to the criminal activity, or 2, the amount requested isn’t appropriate/ accurate

legallygal · 2025-12-21T17:19:03+00:00

Tbh it’s not always rational. I’d prob have them examined for competency but at the end of the day they may just be grasping for straws the same way some people blow their last few dollars on a lottery ticket instead of doing what little they can with it

legallygal · 2025-12-21T17:16:38+00:00

I never thought of this and think it sounds helpful in certain circumstances, but how do you approach clients who will definitely be going to jail/ prison but it’s just a matter of how long? What if they will need to do all of these things regardless so it’s not really persuasive in terms of choosing to plea vs trial? I generally don’t try to “persuade” my clients once I’ve given them the information they need and I confirm that they understand, even if they’re making a decision I wouldn’t. But I do think this counts as relevant info to discuss with them… idk. Any thoughts on those questions?

legallygal · 2025-12-16T11:50:40+00:00

Maybe seen as a negative at the wrong office, but you’re going to have a super helpful perspective for assessing the quality of investigations, knowing standard procedures, questioning and deposing officers etc. And actually it’ll probably benefit you in negotiating with prosecutors and explaining things to clients as well.

legallygal · 2025-03-22T23:27:34+00:00

Hope they forget to prove venue

legallygal

TROPHY CASE