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TPLU COMMENTARY:
A story by D. Rawlinson
When a person runs AFOUL of the Texas Criminal Justice System and does not have the money to hire a lawyer—Now, when I say this, I mean Real $$ to hire a GOOD lawyer because to do other wise is a waste, because a low cost type lawyer will get you not much more than a court appointed one.
Let’s cover this 1st.: Ever lawyer that practices in each County court has taken an Oath of Office to that Court- a REQUIREMENT. He/She is an Officer of the Court. In general, lawyers practice in the County they reside in; if they practice in other Counties, they will be required to take an Oath of Office there also. It is very common for those lawyers to participate in County political issues and they EARN their living in those County courts they take Oaths to.
Lawyers have considerable investments in their educations and setting up offices in order to carry out a Law practice. Collage and Law School educations can cost $150,000 plus, the expenses of maintaining an office with clerks, advertising etc. is also high. Many, Many beginning lawyers earn a large amount of their start up salaries doing Court appointed work. Here in McLennan Co. the court pays around $200 for a fee for indigent clients, does not seem like much but a lot of those lawyers will do 10 plus cases per mo.; THAT folks adds up. Are these lawyers going to have a LOT of interest in BUCKING the system they have taken an OATH to serve and that pays their up keep? You decide.
Most all lawyers in a County personally know the D A, asst. D A’s, court clerks, Judges etc. as they are around them day in and day out. They talk before court, during breaks etc. and they tend to socialize at golf clubs, Rotary clubs, political party events etc. Have YOU ever hung out with the guys like that?? You all know how friendships like that carry weight—OK, maybe there are some favor advantages to be gained but the WORST part is—None of these folks are going to UP SET their OWN Apple Cart for YOU!! Not going to happen, at least not down low in the lawyer Fish barrel.
Here is HOW I see the Ball (court) Game going.
Line up: Inmate—the Ball
D A/Prosecution Office—The Offense
Inmate Representation- The Defense
Judge- The Umpire
Lets Play Ball (crank it UP). The Ball is put into play by the Umpire in a game already designed to last about 15 min.’s. The Offense/Defense play out the game with the ball sitting in a chair. There are at bats, some scores made etc. and then the Umpire (Judge) calls time, game over! The Umpire tally’s the score and the ball either goes Free or to Jail; the Majority of the time, the Ball goes to jail. THEN, with in min’s, another BALL is put into play and the 15 min. game goes again, it ends and another Ball is put into play. And so it goes, day in/day out, year after year.
The two opposing teams and umpire have an ENDLESS supply of balls, the used ones are FORGOTTEN! Every one else in the GAME, except the BALL, is getting PAID to play the game and Win or Lose—all get paid and go home to family etc. after the game. This is a known factor before the day starts!
Who really cares if the Ball got a fair game? A few maybe BUT the Apple Cart WILL NOT be UP SET for the Ball. Play BALL!!
IN SOLIDARITY,
T.P.L.U.
Play Ball!! (a court game)
DWIGHT RAWLINSON
National Secretary
C/O: Dwight Rawlinson
2121 So. 4th
Waco, Texas 76706
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