February 2010

D.C. Police Acknowledge Faulty Operation of DWI/DUI Breath Test

February 28, 2010 DUI and Driving Offenses

D.C. police have recently admitted what criminal defense lawyers have long been claiming; namely, that the Intoxilyzer 5000 EN machine, which is used in the nation’s capitol to measure a suspect’s blood alcohol content after an arrest for DWI or DUI, has not been operating properly.  As a result, the Office of the Attorney General [...]

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Five Advantages To Being A Paid Lawyer

February 27, 2010 Law Marketing/Networking

Now that I have moved back to D.C. and opened my own criminal defense law firm, former colleagues at the Defender Association of Philadelphia have asked me how I enjoy private practice.  For them and for other public defenders who might be thinking about making the transition, I offer the following five advantages to being [...]

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Finding The Right Name For A Criminal Law Blog

February 25, 2010 Criminal Law Bloggers

Scott Greenfield of Simple Justice wrote a complimentary piece about this blog earlier this week. While I was very flattered to be described as “one of the newest and brightest additions to the blawgosphere,” Greenfield continued to encourage me to change the name of this blog.  Wrote Greenfield in a postscript: “Jamison, attempting to straddle [...]

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The Virginia Bar Exam: How Much Studying Is Enough?

February 25, 2010 Law Practice

One of my favorite episodes from the old T.V. show Taxi included the scene in which the Reverend Jim Ignatowski, the character played by Christopher Lloyd, accidentally burns down the apartment of Louie DePalma, the character played by Danny DeVito.  The Reverend’s father is a millionaire.  When the father finds out that his son has [...]

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Surviving the Virginia Bar Exam: Reflections on Day One

February 24, 2010 Law Practice

Norfolk, Va. — Before starting law school, I read a number of books on how to survive your first year.  One book dealt with law school etiquette.  Top among its rules was not to discuss an examination with friends afterwards.  There is no point to doing this, the book said.  Both sides – the side [...]

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On Rushed and Ill-Considered Guilty Pleas

February 12, 2010 Law Practice

Last summer, my 19-year-old daughter decided that she wanted to come see me in court.  I had just given notice of my intention to resign from the Defender Association of Philadelphia effective at the end of the month, and she thought this might be the last opportunity to see me working as a public defender. [...]

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A Public Defender with a Sense of Humor

February 10, 2010 Criminal Law Bloggers

A couple of weeks ago, I complained about the lack of criminal law blogs done by women.  I also bemoaned the fact that, with a few exceptions, there do not seem to be many public defender blogs that don’t sound preachy, sanctimonious, and put-upon.   Yes, you’re a public defender.  Yes, the caseload is overwhelming.  Yes, [...]

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On Secret Shopper and Other Internet Scams

February 9, 2010 Other Criminal Offenses

Last summer my daughter was looking for a summer job in Boston when she came across an offer on the Internet that seemed too good to be true.  Fortunately, my daughter knew enough to call me before she cashed a check for $2,000 they sent her.  And, fortunately, having represented a client facing felony charges [...]

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Prosecutorial Discretion and DUI/DWI Diversion

February 6, 2010 DUI and Driving Offenses

Bad luck.  My client is middle-aged.  He has children and runs his own business.  He is a respected member of our community.   And he has never been arrested before. He is pulled over for speeding at two am on New Year’s morning and charged with drinking-and-driving.  Two hours earlier, he would have been eligible for [...]

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On Legal Marketing and Blogging: A Newbie Offers His Perspective

February 5, 2010 Criminal Law Bloggers

When I moved down from Philadephia to D.C. and opened my own criminal defense law practice, I decided to find out what some of the criminal defense lawyers I respected in Philadelphia did with respect to marketing.  So I went on-line to check out the websites of such Philadelphia lawyers as Brian McMonagle, Daniel Paul [...]

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