Hi Infinity,

I loved your post. One of my best friends is an attorney and as a friend of mine he is VERY pragmatic when he gives me advice. He has drilled into my head the difference of what is legal and what actually happens in a court of law - and there is a BIG difference. The personality of the judge is more important than any bloody law. If peeps think they are impartial then they are nuts.

A good example is a case my friend went to court with involving a simple possession charge. My bud told me how shocked his client was when he told the guy to dress in a plaid shirt and jeans and make damned sure that he had some dirt under his nails. (This is ABSOLUTELY true)Why? Because this hick judge believed that if you wore a suit or even dockers etc then you didn't really work !!! This "good old boy" judge could only understand scrapping by in the dirt to make a living - you could be a successful Wall Street banker and in his mind you did not work. The law ? Don't be a friggin putz - it had nothing to do with the case.

And make no mistake that these attorneys and judges orbit in the same circles as well. They know each other or of each other - this makes a damned big difference as well. My lawyer friend had some mutual friends with this particular judge and make no mistake, before anything happened in court my friend introduced himself to the judge and dropped a few names. Because of this my friend was able to get his client off on "Advisement" which means his client walked and if he stayed clean for 6 months then the whole record would be erased !!!

You don't know how many times I have said the same you did in your post ie: You can't explain or reason with folks on this. It doesn't mean we are totally lost but rather that if you are arrested you need be very pragmatic and understand a few things. The first thing you need understand is SHUT THE F**K UP !!! This is now damage control and has nothing to do with the law or rights or any such nonsense. So many folks hang themselves when arrested trying to make a case with the very folks who are trying to put them away - SHUT THE F**K UP.

My lawyer friend has drilled into me one very stock phrase for any questioning - "F**k you, I want my lawyer." And you best have a best friend for a lawyer as well - in that I am lucky. Then you make your deals based on the personalities and folks involved in the case - NOT on the law. This is reality as you know and have so eloquently stated. And if you are a member of the most hated segment of society then you best have a stash set aside for the bad days. Even being found guilty ain't cheap. My lawyer works for me for free with my best interests at heart and it wouldn't be cheap. Make no mistakes - money talks.

I have hardly ever posted to you Infinity but I have read your posts with interest. You are absolutely correct in your assessment - how could you not be ? You lived it eh ? If arrested you know what kind of shock it can be and how so many stupid mistakes are made. Find yourself a good attorney BEFORE anything happens, stash some cash, and shut the hell up. This may not get you off but we are talking damage control and it can be the difference between walking and spending the rest of your life in jail. I know a guy who is doing 25 to life and the most damning evidence was his collection of Disney films !!! This is reality - peeps philosophy is just that, philosophy.

My best to you buck. Now you know what most don't.

I am created Siva