What's on my kindle this week

[lindentreeisle]

A better question might be, what's not on my kindle this week? Because I've been in court a lot, and anyone who is regularly in criminal court, especially in a busy jurisdiction, will tell you that it's mostly waiting around for things to happen and it's mostly very boring. There's usually ten minutes or so of discussing the cases you have

Comments

[shadowfireflame]

I'm sorry court life isn't too interesting (I find your descriptions of it really interesting, but I guess that's because I don't think I've ever met a prosecutor before). So maybe that judge in Reichenbach was a bit pleased Sherlock was in there shaking things up? ;D

Oh, man, “Evidence of Human Life” is one of my absolute favorites. I’m just awed by how well the author gets into Sherlock’s head.

Ooooh, in that one by berlynn_wohl they go to Antarctica?!?! That sounds lovely. I’ll read that next. Please tell me there is cuddling due to the cold...

[lindentreeisle]

I didn't post the blathering about court under a cut because I know from experience most people who aren't in court regularly do find my stories interesting. :)

Judges really don't like when people mouth off to them, so I doubt the judge in Reichenbach was enjoying Sherlock's time on the stand. But probably the lawyers secretly were- especially any in the audience. Also, it's worth noting that Sherlock's corrections of the prosecuting counsel are even funnier when you realize that they're all 100% correct

[shadowfireflame]

Ooh, jury poison, like his arrogance would make them more likely to disregard the facts of the case and just want to spite him? Interesting. I'm afraid everything I know about courtrooms I learned from dramatic TV shows and one time spent in jury duty where we literally sat in a room for 6 hours and then got to go home without doing anything.

Oh, yes, I'm following "Bird's Bone" like whoaaa. It's phenomenal. I've read everything by thesardine about a million times.

Thanks for the heads up--I don't personally mind things being rape-y, but I know others might be triggered.

[lindentreeisle]

Jurors are less likely to believe witnesses they don't like. It's just human nature. They're more likely to believe witnesses they sympathize with, witnesses they relate to or respect. Sherlock on the stand would create an impression of an aloof, arrogant, snide man who thinks he is better than everyone else in the courtroom. It would probably not go over well, especially once he turned his deductions on the jury. It's always a bit of a balancing act because it's hard to figure out how a particular juror will react to a particular witness. Part of your job as a lawyer is to present your witness, mostly through questioning, in the light that is most favorable to your case, and to puncture your opponents' similar presentation of their witnesses and re-cast the jury's views of that person in a way that helps you

[shadowfireflame]

Oh, wow, that’s absolutely fascinating how the way the facts are presented or the personalities of the players could make such a difference. Thanks for such a great example. I certainly don’t envy you your job! It might be a bit boring waiting all day, but the part where you have to actually try to convince a jury of stuff seems ridiculously difficult. Also, it seems like being a juror or judge is an extremely tough position to be in, too-I’m rather glad now I wasn’t selected for the jury the day I went. I’m not sure I could make such important decisions that affect people’s lives

[lindentreeisle]

Yeah, writers do it too. Sometimes they don't even realize they're doing it. But persuasive writing uses a lot of the same skills.

I think being a juror would be hard, too. It freaks people out a bit sometimes (when they're not just upset about how much work they have to miss, heh). It IS a lot of responsibility. And you kind of have to live with that decision afterwards. Same problem with judges, although judges have a bit more experience, so at the very least they have more practice distancing themselves from cases and not taking it personally. But I imagine even so there are cases that stick with them.

[a_blackpanther]

Apologies for butting in, I'm here via holmesian_news.

This discussion is very interesting and now I want to see fic dealing with Sherlock in court. I also have to wonder of he didn't get himself arrested because he realized that would at least partly satisfy the juror's need for revenge (? - the word is too strong). Or maybe he just wanted to get close to Moriarty to figure out what he was playing at.

[lindentreeisle]

You give Sherlock more credit than I do- I think he just plain couldn't keep his mouth shut. *G*

[thesardine]

Ya'll are making me blush!

[lindentreeisle]

<3

[thesardine]

I'm getting to work on part three, I swear. The problem is, beta'ing inspires me to work on my own fic, so now I'm juggling. :p

[lindentreeisle]

LOL, was I waiting for you? I thought I was waiting for ME. ;) I'll e-mail you.

[lindentreeisle]

Also I neglected to say, I'm glad you are working on your own fic. :D Because I'm greedy like that. GIMME.

[shadowfireflame]

:))))

[tweedisgood]

We don't have plea bargaining in this formal sense (hardly at all really, only about what level of charges someone will admit to) in England and Wales. Sentencing is wholly within the purview of the judge, following sentencing guidelines/legislation.

Judges are very stuffy over here on the whole (there are loads of jokes about how out of touch and old fashioned they are), and really *don't* like drama and show offs.