Law Students

First Day of Work 5.26

By katemort

            Today was my first day of work. Once again I didn?t really have expectactions, but I was nervous and excited to see what was in store for us. Our supervisor, TP had indicated to the other students that he would be taking Susan and I to court to get us oriented and to give us an experience as a sort of running start for the summer. I have already described, in detail to my boyfriend John the events of my day and he can attest to my exuberance when describing the experience. I guess for sake of the written word, you will just have to take my word for it.

            Our day was to begin at 9:30. We arrived at the building where the Legal Aid Board is located, only to find that TP was standing at the other side of the street waiting for us. We walked to the courthouse about 3 blocks and we chatted for a bit. Then he gave us some information and background on both the South African judicial system and the details of the case we would be privy to. 16 year-old boy. Killed his Uncle?s girlfriend. Very troubled childhood. Felt it was necessary to protect both himself and his uncle. I have to admit I had some initial callous thoughts. A public defender trying to create a sob story for a cold blooded murder. I?ve never been gung-ho about criminal work as far as a career path and I think it is because I would find it difficult to find a balance between having a hardened enough heart such that I could deal with losing a case and being sensitive enough to feel sympathy for my clients when necessary. I wasn?t quite sure what to do with the information TP gave me because I have never really had any intimacy with someone who is an admitted murder.

            We arrived at the courthouse. It was very different from an American courthouse to say the least. It had an atrium in the middle and all the different individual courtrooms could be accessed from this central atrium. With no disrespect meant, it honestly was reminiscent of a Holiday Inn. We entered one of the courtrooms upstairs and sat for a bit. The prosecutor in this case came up and introduced himself to us. I cannot remember his name but I distinctly remember his introduction. ?My surname is ______.? Susan and I sat for a minute and thought of how to reply and settled on the traditional American greeting of the full name and the handshake. He was very friendly. Everyone was very friendly.

            ?The accused? as he was referred to had not arrived yet.

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Full post as published by Ms. JD on May 27, 2008 (boomark / email).