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A Lawyer Known Best for Losing Capital Cases

Discussion in 'Alley of Lingering Sighs' started by Ragusa, May 24, 2010.

  1. Ragusa

    Ragusa Eternal Halfling Paladin Veteran

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    Remove all ads!
    So there is this this article on a lawyer known best for losing capital cases:
    According to Scott Horton it appears that Mr. Guerinot represented 2,000 defendants in felony cases in 2007-08, a fact that speaks for itself with respect to the quality of the representation he provided.

    Indeed. If the number refers to a single year that would make about 0,64 cases per hour i.e. it means that on average he has 38,4 minutes to prepare for every case, and that includes court appearances* and meeting his clients in jail, if he does that at all, and, of course, billing. Even if it is three times that, the amount of time spent on each case would be exceedingly low. With that case load he doesn't have time for research, or to properly study the files, let alone consult with his clients. That much for zealous defence. It's a travesty.

    Horton's conclusion is dire:
    This reminds me of this astounding precedent in Texas where a court ruled that it is sufficient that a lawyer is present at trial; he doesn't need to be awake. This was, fortunately, overturned, but is remarkable nevertheless, in particular in this context.

    The question is what the Texas justice system is - a well oiled machine that delivers speedy verdicts and executions, or one that gives due process and a fair trial to everyone. Disturbingly, the answer appears to be that it is the former.

    (*assuming he works five days a week that would make iirc 261 workdays in 2009; for he's a busybody lawyer I assume 12hour days)
     
    Last edited: May 24, 2010
    Ragusa, May 24, 2010
    #1
  2. Chandos the Red

    Chandos the Red This Wheel's on Fire

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    Seems as if our lawyers are learning from our health care providers. :p
     
    Chandos the Red, May 24, 2010
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  3. The Great Snook Gems: 31/31
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    I have no idea how the legal system works, but if it is anything like the accounting system I would assume he has all sorts of people who do the "work" and he probably just does the courtroom work and/or is the attorney on record.

    Still, it is a major advantage to be able to hire your own lawyer as opposed to using the one appointed by the courts.
     
    Last edited: May 24, 2010
    The Great Snook, May 24, 2010
    #3
  4. Ragusa

    Ragusa Eternal Halfling Paladin Veteran

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    TGS,
    you hope that. His record does not inspire confidence. Neither does his shoestring budget website suggest he is heading a larger law firm.

    What I found by the way was equally uninspiring: America's most lethal attorney - and that's from 2007.
    Essentially the guy appears to be an undertaker.
     
    Ragusa, May 24, 2010
    #4
  5. T2Bruno

    T2Bruno The only source of knowledge is experience Distinguished Member ★ SPS Account Holder Adored Veteran New Server Contributor [2012] (for helping Sorcerer's Place lease a new, more powerful server!) Torment: Tides of Numenera SP Immortalizer (for helping immortalize Sorcerer's Place in the game!)

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    ... I guess everyone tries to keep the streets safe in their own way....
     
    T2Bruno, May 24, 2010
    #5
  6. NOG (No Other Gods)

    NOG (No Other Gods) Going to church doesn't make you a Christian

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    I'm surprised he's still practicing at this point. Can't they disbar him if his clients successfully appeal for 'incompetent defense' or whatever enough times?
     
    NOG (No Other Gods), May 24, 2010
    #6
  7. dmc

    dmc Speak softly and carry a big briefcase Staff Member Distinguished Member ★ SPS Account Holder Resourceful Adored Veteran New Server Contributor [2012] (for helping Sorcerer's Place lease a new, more powerful server!)

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    I'd love to say that incompetent lawyers are disbarred but, at least in California, the way to get yourself disbarred seems to be taking a client's settlement money, sleeping with a client, doing massive amounts of drugs such that your performance is impaired repeatedly (although this usually only leads to a suspension while you get treatment), or actually committing a "real" crime.
     
    dmc, May 24, 2010
    #7
  8. T2Bruno

    T2Bruno The only source of knowledge is experience Distinguished Member ★ SPS Account Holder Adored Veteran New Server Contributor [2012] (for helping Sorcerer's Place lease a new, more powerful server!) Torment: Tides of Numenera SP Immortalizer (for helping immortalize Sorcerer's Place in the game!)

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    'sleeping with a client'????

    Wow, that seems harsh -- so much for my aspirations of being a divorce attorney....
     
    T2Bruno, May 24, 2010
    #8
  9. Aldeth the Foppish Idiot

    Aldeth the Foppish Idiot Armed with My Mallet O' Thinking Veteran

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    Well, that alone doesn't prove much. Most District Attorneys will not even bring charges against a suspect unless they think they have sufficient evidence to convict. It's not like when you're charged with murder that you have a 50-50 chance of being found guilty or not guilty. I have not idea what the exact percentage is, but I imagine the vast majority of of murder trials do, in fact, result in a guilty verdict.
     
    Aldeth the Foppish Idiot, May 25, 2010
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  10. Splunge

    Splunge Bhaal’s financial advisor Adored Veteran Pillars of Eternity SP Immortalizer (for helping immortalize Sorcerer's Place in the game!) Torment: Tides of Numenera SP Immortalizer (for helping immortalize Sorcerer's Place in the game!)

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    I disagree. His elaborate website answers everything - he obviously spends so much time on developing his site that he has no time left to actually represent clients.
     
    Splunge, May 25, 2010
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  11. Gaear

    Gaear ★ SPS Account Holder Resourceful

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    Probably the best method of contacting him is via 'facsilile.'
     
    Gaear, May 25, 2010
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  12. Silvery

    Silvery I won't pretend to be your friend coz I'm just not ★ SPS Account Holder Adored Veteran

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    Was there a male version of 'Legally Blonde' produced that didn't have a happy ending? And if so, is this guy the result?
     
    Silvery, May 25, 2010
    #12
  13. Aldeth the Foppish Idiot

    Aldeth the Foppish Idiot Armed with My Mallet O' Thinking Veteran

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    The other thing is we're talking about state appointed lawyers. When you're in a public position like that, incompetence is never sufficient reason to terminate a person. Plus, we don't know if he's necessarily incompetent. Maybe he just sucks at what he does. (While subtle, there is a distinction between the two.)
     
    Aldeth the Foppish Idiot, May 25, 2010
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  14. The Great Snook Gems: 31/31
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    Wait a minute, are you implying that his clients may actually be guilty? :D
     
    The Great Snook, May 25, 2010
    #14
  15. Slith

    Slith Look at me! I have Blue Hands! Veteran

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    I would hate to be a defense attorney. Especially an incompetent one.
     
    Slith, Jun 4, 2010
    #15
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