How Do You Regard Your Clients And The Cases You Defend?

(The content below was transcribed from an interview done with Acacia Law. We think you'll find it much easier
and more enjoyable to read this way.)

Interviewer: What is an example of a case in which the result made you feel really proud?

Acacia Law: Cases where you have pride, such as this armed robbery case, come pretty regularly. About once a month I get a case where I have somebody who is looking at years in prison. They have had the public defender for months. It just happens all the time.

Basically, I have been able to fix that for them. It might take me a couple of months. It might take me a few months. Still, that sense of pride comes a lot. Most of the time, when people come to me it is precisely because they are in dire straits. Something tells them this just is not right.

I have had people say, flat out, "I understand what the law is. I understand but here is what I do not understand. Is this even remotely just, as applied to me?" I have different cases- from shootings, stabbings, burglaries and DUIs- where the results always make me proud.

A lot of times, I can honestly say, I have my clients to thank as much as myself. This is because the clients who get those deals and reprieves, from what otherwise would be a prison sentence, are the ones who will actually cooperate with me. They do what I ask them to do; and follow my instructions.

Those instructions include helping to get witnesses that can give information that contradicts what is in their reports. Or I just tell them, “I think it is in your best interests to see a doctor." I have had clients who had everything from minor strokes, to cancer, to mental illness.

If I can get them to go to the doctor toseek treatment and address any issues they might have concerning their behavior or health; well that is half the battle. They have to be cooperative in that regard. Quite frankly, most of my clients are. They really are.