A Little Bit and Another Survey in Book Five: Working Through the Maze 2018

I’m going over my case load looking at all of these people who have no chance of winning at trial but they demand to go to trial. It is their right to do so, and I cannot begrudge them the exercise of that right. But it is such a waste of time, money, and resources. And it isn’t like I’m unreasonable.

Example: Individual caught in the act of vandalizing a wall. Totally caught out. No defense of mistaken identity, no defense of alibi… totally caught out. But she wants to go to trial. Because she’s angry. She was vandalizing that wall because the man who owns the building made a rude comment and she was pissed. And I’m just… frustrated. Really? You want to interrupt everyone’s life (witnesses) tie up resources (police witnesses, court time, me) all because you’re angry at the guy against whom you were committing a criminal offense? I realize that emotional maturity is pretty much dead and buried these days, but still!

It isn’t the only example, either. Located several drugs on two people so the officers confiscated everything that could have been drugs. Some of what was confiscated were human remains. I’m offering these folks a plea involving NO jail time or fines. Just say “Sorry, yeah” and be done with it! But they are so pissed that their dead parent’s ashes were seized, they are demanding two days of jury trials.

I know that these are people’s lives we’re dealing with… and I know that many would not be involved in crime but for their pre-existing difficulty with impulse control and emotional stability. But sincerely… a modicum of emotional maturity… of accepting that even if you feel slighted, the criminal conduct is not suddenly made legal by such feelings… that would be nice.

That being said… I still love my job. :)

Four names I go by:
1. Chris
2. Topher
3. Christopher
4. Counselor

Four places I’ve lived:
1. West Des Moines
2. Cedar Falls
3. Omaha
4. Marshalltown

Four favorite books:
1. The Death and Life of Superman- Roger Stern
2. Batman: Knightfall- Dennis O’Neil
3. Dark Matter- Blake Crouch
4. The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

Four beautiful places I have been:
1. San Diego, California
2. Reflection Lake, Ontario
3. Jacksonhole, Wyoming
4. Austria

Four things I love to eat:
1. Shrimp
2. Burritos
3. Pizza
4. Ribs

Four foods I don’t like:
1. Edemame
2. Snow Peas
3. Rocky Mountain Oysters
4. Plain White Rice

Four non-alcoholic drinks I love:
1. Cold, clean water… which, with few exceptions, is something I have to purchase :(
2. Dr. Pepper
3. Orange Juice
4. Gatorade

Four alcoholic drinks I love:
1. Dark and Stormy
2. Cuba Libre
3. Felix Funhouse
4. Gin & Tonic

Four places that I’ve never been, but would love to go to:
1. Ireland
2. Japan
3. England
4. Australia

Four things currently in my car:
1. Trash bags
2. Deadpool Sun Shield
3. Ice Scrapper
4. Spare Tire

Four favorite music artists:
1. Weird Al Yankovic
2. Michael Jackson
3. David Bowie
4. Prince

Yes, even before they died.

Four favorite toys as a kid:
1. X-Men toys
2. Ninja Turtles toys
3. Fake Guns
4. Monster Creator

Four cars you’ve driven:
1. 1995 Buick Century
2. 1990 Mercury Sable
3. 2009 Honda Civic
4. 2012 Honda Accord

Four dates you always remember:
1. May 3/5, my birthday
2. July 27th, Mom’s birthday
3. September 19, Dad’s birthday
4. October 23, MOLE DAY (and my brother’s birthday)

Four jobs you’ve had:
1. Shoe Salesman
2. Grocery Clerk
3. Concession Attend in a Movie Theater
4. Prosecutor

Four apps you love:
1. Calendar App
2. Clock App
3. Chrome App
4. YouTube App