10/28/11

YOU READING THIS? I CHARGE BY THE MINUTE














The number one prisoner excuse for not attending Adult Basic Education Class, for not consistently trying to improve one’s academic skills (and for reasons near and dear to me) is: “I have to call my lawyer.” And why shouldn’t that be an excused absence? Heck, I’ve missed work to meet with my attorney; so, when an inmate makes $0.59 a day to sit in class and a lawyer charges roughly $250.00 per hour to communicate, all this prisoner talk about the need for legal advice, regardless of the disproportionate amount of income / outcome, must REALLY REALLY REALLY BE IMPORTANT. Of course, you know as well as I do that 99.99% of the time these prisoners are lying. Reminds me of a story I once read by former-convict-teacher-turned-author Davey Rothbart titled, “Lie Big.”

Anyway …

While going through the divorce process, the best man at my wedding, who is studying for his juris doctorate, shared a wealth of information regarding family law. Can’t beat a little free advice when your savings account is hemorrhaging and you’ve been denied access to your house. Unfortunately, now that the divorce decree is here, now that I’ve done what my hired lawyer called “stopped the bleed,” a few loose ends are in need of tourniquets. For instance, I followed the court order to have a third party lawyer mediate the settlement; whereas, the plaintiff did not. Yet, due to the plaintiff’s “show cause” motion regarding yours truly paying a dental bill on—of all things—his teeth, I had decided enough is enough and chose to settle instead of going back to court. Thus, I did not use the mediator’s services, thus a refund seemed reasonable, if not logical; however, the mediator would only return one-third of the money.

I guess it’s what I get for following court orders. So now my lawyer suggests we meet to discuss this latest  “injustice,” and since she’s single, and since I’m thinking the whole judicial process is a joke, we’d be better off having dinner and drinks  … on me of course… it’d be a hell of a lot cheaper too.

God is it great to be free!

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

... maybe you could smooth talk that lawyer of yours into waving the attorney fees. i think you have an excellet strategy!

Anonymous said...

"Lawyers are like other people--fools on the average; but it is easier for an ass to succeed in that trade than any other." Sam Clemens from Hannibal.

P.S. Let her buy you dinner.I don't think you'll be getting your money back.

Anonymous said...

Hey JR I don't always agree with Samuel but at least you've been freed from a major bottom feeder. That's worth celebrating everyday. Happy Halloween. Huck

Anonymous said...

Well gives a whole new meaning to practicing law. Has the similiar qualities of proctology.
Just depends on the depth of their findings.
Enjoyed the read JR. Glad to know you are celebrating. MW

Erik France said...

And to the last sentiment, huzzah ~~!