Saturday, November 7, 2015

Was It Good For you?

November 7, 2014.


I walk into court today. It's a couple of days after prop 47 has passed which means many low level felonies will now be reduced to misdemeanors by operation of law.
My client is facing multiple cases all around the county. Prior to Prop 47, including his probation violations and his 4 open cases, he would be facing several years in State Prison. Most of his charges are drug related from use, to sales...Now, because of prop 47, i can finally get him into long term rehabilitation as opposed to warehousing him in state prison.
Today, he is being arraigned on several charges which were felonies when he was arrested. As I approached the prosecutors desk, I realize the deputy sitting at the desk today is an old old colleague of mine. I met him 24 years ago when I was a law clerk at the District Attorney's Office.
Over the years, being on the same side, or being on opposite sides of cases, we have formed a professional relationship which allows us to frankly and openly discuss the facts of our case and reach socially just and acceptable results.
I slowly go up to him. Judge is off the bench. The Courtroom is quietly bustling with the business of the day...
Me: Hey love... How you been.
DA: Hey girl, what brings you to my courtroom?
Me: [with an exuberant and effervescent tone] you gonna give me my first prop 47 reduction today...
DA: I am gonna be your first
ME: You gonna be my first. Talk dirty to me ...
DA: ok. you ready?
Me: ready ready... talk to me talk to me...

....
The Judge takes the bench, and the case is called. DA goes on the Record and says: Count I is reduced to a misdemeanor. Count II is reduced to a misdemeanor. Count III is also reduced to misdemeanor.

We take care of the rest of the issues... Defendant is given the opportunity to enroll in an In Patient Rehabilitation Program...
Judge goes off the Bench..

I walk to the DA. He looks at me and says:
DA: was it good for you...?
ME: it was good for me... was it good for you??

and we both laugh until tears roll down our cheeks.
Some days, i just love the practice of criminal defense.
Have an Awesome week-end, everyone.



CDAK, Alaleh Kamran.
Alaleh Kamran, Attorney at Law
A Professional Corporation
15760 Ventura Blvd, Suite 1010
Encino, Ca 91436
ph: 818-986-6222
Lecturer, Radio Host, Citizen Journalist, Blogger
alalehkamran@alalehkamran.com
Los Angeles, Las Vegas
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Friday, November 6, 2015

The Sun Shines at UCLA Career Center

Alaleh?  are you available to sit on a panel at UCLA about careers in law? said the message in my Facebook inbox? Sanaz Nabati Career counselor at UCLA was contacting me to invite me to sit on a Panel at UCLA Career Center to discuss Law with prospective law students....

I was sitting in Court waiting for the Judge on a really messed up Murder case. And this message was like a piece of candy after a hard night of drinking... soothing for the soul and invigorating for the body.. I chuckled to myself. Have i ever met a microphone that i didn't like, i asked myself?? Of course i will talk to these students...

So, i show up, to look at a room full of UCLA students, shy, excited, ambitious, apprehensive and thirsty.... thirsty for knowledge, thirsty for answers. And i think to myself, OH MY GOD. they are so young!!!! Was i this young when i was in College? did i look this innocent? did i have this look of awe and thirst on my face when i was their age???

And as i canvass this room, i see this beautiful face sitting in the front row. She smiled like she had swallowed the sun. And, i know. i just know that i have seen this smile somewhere before.

We do what we are supposed to do... As a panel we discuss, we present and and we impart our vast knowledge of the law with these bright-eyed bushy-tailed young students. Sunshine sits in front of me, and every time i glance at her, she is looking at me, with her gorgeous smile... and drinking up the information, as if drinking from the fountain of youth.

The night winds itself down...and I'm surrounded by a half dozens students. They're asking questions.. they are each patiently waiting their turn, to tell their story, to ask their questions and ask if the law is for them.... And i look up and see Sunshine waiting patiently.

Finally, I make my way to Sunshine. And i say: "I know you. Where do i know you from?" And she responds: I saw you several years ago, at Nessah Temple. You were speaking about Juvenile crimes at Nessah Israel with Dr. Orly Saghian, Ph.D. And I didn't know if I wanted to go to Medical School or Law school. And that day, after you spoke to us, i made up my mind that i wanted to become an attorney. You inspired me to become an Attorney"

********

Do you know what it feels like to be washed over with emotions so strong that you feel like your knees are about to buckle? Do you know what it feels like when you are hit inside the pit of your stomach with the realization that you can make a difference in other people's lives without ever knowing or having intended to??

*******

I well up in tears. And all I can think is Oh, My, God! ... I am the luckiest woman on earth. I do what I love, I get paid for I love, and I inspire young women to follow my path. ... Can I get any luckier than this? can I be blessed any more?

I hug her. i am at a loss of words. Sunshine is truly sunshine. She radiates warmth and along with her warmth, she brings happiness.

You know who you are. Thank you for being you, for being there at Nessah, for being here tonight and for talking to me tonight. Wherever you go, may the road rise to greet you. May the Sun be behind you shining on you. And may you navigate life's vicissitudes with ease and wisdom.

Thank you for the gift you gave me tonight. I love you.

Alaleh Kamran
November 5, 2015
UCLA

Law Offices of Alaleh Kamran
 15760 Ventura Blvd, Suite 1010
 Encino, Ca 91436
 818-986-6222

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