I’m still planning my blog year — discerning what I want my voice to hold and what I want to pour into. But some stories don’t wait for your calendar. Some moments insist on being named while they’re still warm. And before I could settle into any goals or themes for the year, today reminded… Continue reading The Question He Couldn’t Answer — and Why
Category: Behind the Case
Memoir-type reflections on navigating court, emotional burdens, and moral tensions
When Justice and Compassion Collide
Reflections on balancing duty, empathy and humanity in the hardest cases I’m currently handling a case involving child sexual abuse material (CSAM). CSAM refers to images or videos that depict the sexual abuse of minors. Preparing for trial in a matter like this has been one of the most emotionally challenging experiences of my career.… Continue reading When Justice and Compassion Collide
No Hearing, No YMAC, Still Mercy
The Case That Almost Got Away My first appointed felony client is one I'll never forget. He was barely 18. Already on a six-year deferred probation. Already carrying two new state jail felony thefts. Already written off by the system. But he asked for YMAC—Young Men About Change. Not because he thought he deserved it.… Continue reading No Hearing, No YMAC, Still Mercy
Sword in Hand🗡️: When Mercy Wears a Smile
Some cases come heavy. Others come absurd. This one came with a sword. My client—a convicted felon—was charged with deadly conduct. The facts? A man was in his backyard. My client didn’t know why. He couldn’t legally carry a gun, so he grabbed the only thing he had: a sword. He didn’t raise it. Didn’t… Continue reading Sword in Hand🗡️: When Mercy Wears a Smile
What Healing Looks Like When the Work Doesn’t Stop
This post is Part II in a reflection series on defending sacred ground in the aftermath of spiritual trauma. For Part I, see “Representing Without Judgment. I have continued to process the evidence that I had to review and brace myself to review the remainder of the evidence that wasn’t ready last time I went… Continue reading What Healing Looks Like When the Work Doesn’t Stop
Even This: Bearing Witness to Evil and Defending Anyway
This post begins the "Representing Without Judgment" reflection and is Part I of a two-part series on bearing witness and staying spiritually anchored in the defense of difficult cases. The Moment of Exposure I thought I was prepared. The language in the indictment was clinical. The search warrant referenced “child pornography”—a phrase sanitized by repetition… Continue reading Even This: Bearing Witness to Evil and Defending Anyway
On (In)justice 