My lovely time in D.C.

Laura chose that title. It's hot and not lovely. Laura doesn't make her bed. And her apartment is a disaster and it's not my fault. The end.

No, your Honor, I really am incompetent

Client, in holding, after spending an exorbitant amount of time discussing his case and why he's guilty and what his options are : "I want to plead guilty. I did everything the complaint says. I just want this to be over with."
Me: [goes through rights client is giving up and the process for pleading guilty - i.e., very difficult concepts like admitting guilt to the judge. Also spends an exorbitant amount of time arguing with the prosecutor to get a plea agreement pending on Client pleading guilty.]

- ten minutes later -

Judge: "Counsel, your client is prepared to plead guilty? You've spoken with him about this, he understands his rights, he understands the process and he is prepared to move forward?"
Me: "Yes, your honor."
Judge: "Client?"
Client: "I don't know what she's talking about. I didn't do nothing!"

I love my job.

Where have I been? Oh, just protecting the backbone of the U.S. justice system and government. No big.

Thoughts on life since starting my job at the Minnesota Public Defender's Office last month:

1. Being a lawyer is much, much, much better than being in law school.
2. Being in front of a judge and being called "counsel" causes me to giggle.
3. Even though I can be cool, calm and composed on the record, I still possess the innate ability to display my immaturity in ways unexpected as soon as the recording goes off.
4. Judges and court reporters don't have much of a sense of humor (see above).

This summer has been pretty cool. I've finally found my niche and I'm fairly certain that being a public defender is what I want to do when I graduate (though I reserve the right to change this opinion fourteen times before May 2012). I'm passionate about the purpose, my clients are...entertaining, and the work is fulfilling.

Things I still hate since starting this job:

1. Legal research.
2. Legal writing.
3. The cowlick on the back of my head that looks like a bald spot unless I comb it just so.

Things that will never change, no matter how many jobs I have:

1. I will never be an adult.
2 - infinity. See above.

Things I just realized that cause me great stress:
1. I still haven't filled out a FAFSA for next year.
2. I forgot to clean out my locker two months ago. Hm.