So far this summer

So it has been a while since I have written anything . . . so I will provide an update. Though I think that Cassie, you are the only one who reads this, maybe, haha, oh well. Anyways, I am currently interning for an attorney in Stillwater, MN. While she primarily defends juveniles, she also does work in the family law arena. And though I have only been here a short while, I feel I have already been exposed to so much (good and bad) and I feel this will be a life changing experience. First of all: though you are always "aware" that sick and crazy people are out there and they exist due to the medium that is the Jerry Springer show, you'd never really know it if you were not exposed to it. I already have seen and or met several people who have not led the most, er, scrupulous lives, some of whom the attorney I work for represents! crazy. Though I think everyone has a right to a defense and zealous advocacy, blah blah blah, I have come to realize I could never be a public defender. Though I would want to defend one you believe is truley innocent and have glamorized in my mind a fight for the underdog, I don't think I would be able to argue, with a straight face, for someone I believe has done heinous, terrible things-I am a transparent person, which on a larger scale means I won't be an attorney long, which would not bum me out but for the fact I own tons in loans.
Also, another negative as to the profession in general would be my overall frustration with the law and legal system. In my short time here, I have already encountered many issues where the law not only does not achieve justice, it is downright backwards. egh. Not to mention the fact that everything takes for frickin ever in the legal system . . . On the bright side, most, if not all the lawyers I have seen argue for their clients are fully competent, as are most of the judges. Of great import to me are the judges who seem to genuinely care about the individuals involved, and thus struggle with the decision they must make. I'll particularly not forget one judge's act of kindness and encouragement in their recognition of a juvie's progress when the brought brownies to court in celebration. It was cool on the judge's part to acknowledge the person, but I'll especially never forget the girl and her family's smiles and gratitude for the judge's thoughtfulness :)