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Post by Christian & Micah on Apr 13, 2021 5:05:05 GMT
Due Sundays no later than 11:59PM starting Week 3 (500 words or more)
Prompt(s): Subject to VPR/AVPR discretion & emailed weekly
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Post by nathanklassen on Apr 17, 2021 22:51:28 GMT
Weekend Journal #1: The field of law that I would like to work in is international law. My expected concentration for my Political Science Degree is also international relations. The specific route I would like to take is going into the United States Air Force and serving in the Judge Advocate General’s (JAG) Crops. Some responsibilities I would have as a lawyer in this position would be negotiating bilateral agreements, monitoring foreign criminal trials, and issues involving customs, taxation, and other civil law problems. This occupation also requires an aspect of overseas practice. This works out in my favor as I have aspirations of traveling abroad, so it would be amazing if I were able to combine my wish of exploring different countries and my work. I am also trying to become fluent in French. By doing so, I will be more of an asset while working in different European countries, and French is also known as the language of diplomacy, so that would also help with foreign relations.
A secondary field of law that I am interested in is environmental law. The Air Force JAG Corps also has a department of environmental and real property law. After taking an Environmental Systems and Societies course in high school, I knew that if I had an opportunity to minor in this field in college I would. I am still planning on how I could work a minor into my class plan, but I am enthralled about implementing more sustainable practices, especially regarding renewable energy. Going Being a JAG, I would need to ensure the Air Force abides by the National Environmental Policy Act and represent them before government-regulatory agencies. Also, one of the subdivisions specializing in Regional Counsel Offices is in my hometown.
If the Air Force route does not work for me I would want to combine these two practices with international diplomacy with a concentration in environmental sustainability/law. On the condition that research establishes that one form of energy is more sustainable and efficient than others, I believe that field will have a lot of work to do but will be equally rewarding. It is interesting to think whether or not more countries will adapt to the nuclear approach like France, or the windmill farms that populate the coastline of Denmark. Another route combining these two is food production. This includes topics surrounding big corporate farms and having them implement practices that prevent the pollution of nearby water sources (from runoffs) as well as reducing the size of animals in these farms to decrease the chance of diseases spreading. Whether I exhaust my time as a lawyer or want to change up what I do for a living, I would want to become a judge. I have not done too much research on this career path, but I do find it appealing. I am not as keen on being a courtroom lawyer, like supporting a plaintiff or defending a respondent, but I could see myself being a judge. I have stated that my dream job would be a US Supreme Court Justice, but again I need to look more into what the experience is like being a judge.
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Post by ayacohen on Apr 18, 2021 5:40:41 GMT
Weekend Journal #1: For a while, I had a lot of reservations about becoming a lawyer. I never wanted to work under corporate law out of fear that I’d be defending corporations that don’t care about their employees, but am afraid that I will one day succumb to it for financial reasons. This journal is important to me because I got to research different fields that I had not previously looked into, and I think I want to pursue Family & Juvenile law. Through my research, I feel relieved that I will not have to go against my morals and become a corporate attorney.
I think too often, minors of all ages are treated as unintelligent. Their problems are seen as invalid, as if age plays a role in understanding wrongdoings. As a minor, I went through a lot that needed legal action for proper closure; but I was too afraid to reach out, out of fear that I would be made a fool of. Becoming a lawyer in this field means that I can directly deal with people who felt the same way I did, and respect them as human beings. A child’s age does not make their experiences null and void, and it’s much too common for children to repress their emotions in fear that an adult will not believe them. As a lawyer, I want to connect with and help people to the best of my ability.
If I had to choose another field of study, I would want to go into Employment and Labor law. Although I have never worked a part-time job, I have many friends who have undergone unfair treatment due to their gender and skin color with no repercussion. In high school, my friends who were minors were underpaid and forced to work longer than child labor laws allowed for. However, everybody was too scared to say anything. I would want to defend the people that are too afraid to speak out at their own workplace.
As much as I have dreamt of going into Criminal Law, I am much too afraid to experience the injustice that would follow. Having to debate with prosecutors that represent state interests is scary to me, because I am certain that it will be a very skewed trial. As much as a justice system should never be biased, the state will have little empathy towards a criminal’s mental circumstances. I think this field would be much too hard for me to handle, and it’s likely that I would watch a lot of people that I supported go to jail. This might take a toll on my mental health for not being able to aid them better.
A big reason I am excited to join KAPi is to meet people who are also looking for a field of study that is best suited for them, and feel less lost in my journey to law school. I KNOW that I want to study law, but thinking about what field I want to definitely go into is daunting. Hopefully, I can talk with actives who have a similar mindset to myself and can help me through this process.
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Post by christianschellhase on Apr 18, 2021 6:46:17 GMT
Christian Schellhase Weekend Journal #1
My original intent was to write this entry with a focus on entertainment law. I was generally unfamiliar with the specifics of the field but had at the very least a general idea of what it entailed. The American Bar Association defines entertainment law as an area of law which “focuses on providing legal services to companies or individuals in the entertainment business which often entails contracts and intellectual property”. While intriguing, this appeared to me as an overly broad mandate, encompassing too wide a variety of related fields. As such, I elected to narrow my focus to the area of sports law.
Coming into the assignment with an interest in contract negotiation and sports in general, I was curious to learn more about an area of the law I had not previously heard of. In researching general entertainment law, I stumbled upon UCLA Law School’s Sport’s Law Simulation. The course was my first introduction to the concept of “sports law” as a distinct field of law. The first question I had about the field was on its legitimacy; “is sports law a real thing?” It certainly sounded intriguing, but I doubted the field’s separation from other areas of law. Looking further, I discovered an informative article titled “What is Sports Law?” from the Marquette Sports Law Review, which I will refer to throughout the rest of this paragraph. The article engages with three notions of sports law: the idea the field is merely an extension of other areas of law in a “sports context”, the idea that the field may eventually grow into existence, and the idea that the sports law in fact represents a unique field of law. In the first understanding, sports law is no better than entertainment law, an amalgamation of contract, administrative, intellectual property, and employment law. In contrast, the third understanding accepts this amalgamation but further acknowledges that there exists “dedicated legislation and case law” that pertain specifically to sports. I will work under this understanding that accepts sports law as a distinct field.
Incidentally, in determining that sports law is its own field of law, I stumbled on a working definition: the amalgamation listed above with additional legislation and case law directly governing sports. With this point determined, I turned to investigate the specifics of the field of sports law. Areas of interest that commonly appeared seemed to include, but are certainly not limited to, issues with contracts, injury, the rights of players versus owners/the league, amateurism, and Title IX athletic compliance. I also looked into general suggestions about entering the field. As with overarching entertainment law, sports law appears to be a field with a high number of applicants looking to get entry-level positions. The workdays of sports lawyers appear packed with interaction with clients and document drafting. One suggestion in particular I noted was that individual lawyers in the field focus on specific sports, familiarizing themselves with the relevant league and players union and those organizations’ internal rules and laws governing their interaction. Another suggestion involved studying intellectual property and corporate transaction law to serve as a basis for entry into the field of sports law.
In summation, the broad scope of sports law combined with specific relevant legislation and case law make it an intriguing area I may wish to work in down the road. While not personally athletically gifted, sports law would provide me a way to make a career for myself in the supporting infrastructure around the sports world, an intriguing combination of work with my personal interests.
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Post by vidyapatel on Apr 18, 2021 17:47:51 GMT
Weekend Journal #1: The area of law I am most interested and passionate about pursuing is Human Rights Law. Human Rights are the fundamental rights to which all humans are entitled to. These rights entail life and liberty, freedom of thought and expression, civil and political rights, equality before the law, social-cultural and economic rights, right to food, the right to work, and the right to basic education. In other words, human rights are the freedoms that are established by an international agreement that wishes to protect the interests of humans and the national conduct of government within each country. A human rights lawyer is anyone who provides legal counsel to victims of human rights violations.
As mentioned above, the work of a human rights lawyer hinges on a set of fundamental rights. These laws are named the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and from reading the declaration it is clear to see the range of law that the umbrella of Human Rights may entail ranging from immigration to commercial disputes.
Human Rights Law is often confused or perhaps grouped in with civil liberties. The key distinction between the two is that civil liberties are established within a particular state, as opposed to an international base, and are applied based on a state’s individual jurisdiction.
Human rights lawyers are tasked to tackle human rights violations around the world. The cases presented to lawyers include matters that pertain to the dignity and well-being of the clients. These cases often work to protect the rights of vulnerable populations- marginalized groups, women, children, indigenous peoples, refugees, LGTBQ+ communities, and others. However, on more of an individual basis, the field of work also holds companies and belligerent groups accountable for committing violations to human rights. Working in Human Rights requires a dedication to advocating for people who suffered from a great injustice. Thus, the job takes great emotional strength.
The job itself entails engaging in a multitude of tasks that range from drafting important legal documents, researching legal cases, and negotiating difficult settlements regarding human rights cases in court. The lawyers in this field require critical and analytical thinking skills. These skills include, but are not limited to, eloquence to communicate effectively, resilience to emotional burden, and persuasiveness to win cases. Most importantly, the job requires dedication as the dignity of lives is at stake.
A day in the life of a human rights lawyer is often not easy but very rewarding. The job is filled with great uncertainty but ever greater fulfillment. Ultimately, being a human rights lawyer can mean many things when applied to on a community, national, or international level. What holds the field of law together is the fundamental and undeniable belief that all humans have certain inalienable rights and the way we uphold these rights will determine the future of humanity.
As Nelson Mandela states “to deny people their human rights is to challenge their very humanity”. I was privileged enough to never be placed in a position where my human rights were infringed and I will use this privilege to uphold and protect those who have.
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Post by emmyshaw on Apr 18, 2021 18:47:13 GMT
Weekend Journal #1:
I will preface this by saying that I am not entirely sure of what work I want to do, but I do know that I would like to serve others (in whatever way that may be). Although coming to UCLA I was interested in pursuing research, but over the course of my first year studying Biology, I realized that it was not for me. I have always had a strong passion for environmental issues and have grown increasingly passionate about how such issues fit in on a human landscape. I am fascinated by people’s connections to the natural world, yet am concerned with the sensitivity of such links.
For this reason, I now think that I am interested in pursuing Environmental law, but have a fear of representing causes or organizations that I do not believe in. Although I do understand that this is perhaps a vital part of the work, I would find it difficult since the work I enjoy and think that I would like to do is purpose-driven. However, I can’t help but think that this pathway may be one of the only pathways to fundamentally changing and updating our fundamental environmental acts (Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, etc.) that have not been updated since their original implementation in the 1970s. I understand that because the system is incredibly bureaucratic, it may be near-impossible to make such changes.
In terms of the scale of things, at the moment, it appears the work of grassroots organizations is the most efficient, making large strides on a localized scale. However, although great for minimizing local environmental inequalities, with the nature and interconnectedness of our natural systems, it is unfortunate that environmental issues cannot solely be solved on a local scale. For this reason, I would hope to work on a more international scale, yet upon research and speaking with professors, the problem of bureaucracy only inflates. I used to look up to organizations such as the United Nations, yet with time I have realized that there are huge power inequalities between countries that render them practically futile. So too with the Paris Climate Agreement, a merely frivolous statement with its lack of legal binding. Perhaps change would actually be most efficient through the implementation of local policy.
I am starting to believe that as corporations grow to be more powerful and controlling than the countries themselves, it may be most efficient to work with the corporations rather than the countries. For this reason, I have grown increasingly interested in the environmental advising of companies. I also recently learned that there has been a huge and expected continued growth in demand for greater sustainability transparency and reporting in companies by shareholders and other stakeholders. Sustainability reporting is becoming a new normal and an expectation as our society and systems become increasingly vulnerable and the inevitable effects of climate change become more and more evident. Thus, it may also be interesting to enter this field of work and one may actually make greater strides in sustainability in this area.
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zzkhan
Junior Member
Posts: 72
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Post by zzkhan on Apr 19, 2021 0:15:26 GMT
Weekend Journal #1:
The field of law that I am interested in is generally Human Rights Law, with a slight focus on criminal justice. I ideally hope to work on the policy/congressional side of the law, as well. I decided to delve further into the possibility of following through with policy careers after being an attorney or after law school. In public policy careers, I’ve researched that law school graduates can apply the legal analysis skills learned in school to advocate for political causes they are passionate about, draft bills for legislators, and do further congressional work. I would hope to focus on human rights and be able to research and formulate policy that would actually be implemented into our government. Through an article by Paula Nailon, titled “Pathways to Public Policy Careers” I read how lawyers fit perfectly into the career of public policy because you are able to focus on whatever interests you to specialize in a field of policy work. Lawyers are necessary to work behind the legislative policy work of government representatives. Policy work begins with agenda setting, follows through with policy formulation, then policy implementation after laws are created, and finally goes into anylsis and evaluation of the policies, and seeing how they can be revised. I’d love to be a part of all of that. In human rights law, there also seems to be a high volume of travel, which makes me question whether I would like to go into that or stay in local government working on improving the lives of people directly in my community. Regardless, from what I have read about human rights law is that you get to define yourself as a lawyer, picking up cases you are passionate about and taking authority on issues you seem fit. It’s extremely important for human rights lawyers to be familiar with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and that it’s a lot more specific than people assume. The biggest focus of human rights law is advocacy since sadly many of the cases do not really make it to the courtroom. Also, regardless of what kind of law I do end up going into, there’s going to be a lot of writing both about things I am passionate about and things I am not so knowledgeable about. I am extremely excited to delve into new subjects and learn more about the legislative process through law school and through experiences I will hopefully be able to have in the coming years. In being a lawyer, there is a lot of stress and emotions, seeing that I want to go into issues that affect the lives of people who don’t necessarily have the voice I do. With this, I think it’s necessary to address the mental health and work balance that I’ll need to find while working. I read a lot of “Day in the Life” articles from both people who work on the Hill as well as people who work as human rights lawyers, and it made me even more excited, if that was even possible, to work in this field.
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Post by alexisp on Apr 19, 2021 0:22:01 GMT
The field of law I want to study is immigration law. I have a background of dealing with immigration law considering that the city I am from is mostly undocumented farm workers and my parents were born in another country. I have studied a bit of immigration law in community college and also have made a few speeches arguing for a new and revised system. The immigration system is so complicated to the extent that immigration lawyers themselves sometimes get confused on what is going on. Recently two bills passed in the House that would help DACA people and Farmworkers have easier paths to citizenship which are called the Farm Workforce Modernization Act and the Dream and Promise Act of 2021. However, the bills are only a small band aid to the large wound that is the legal immigration. The last immigration reform was in 1986 and there is a dire need to reform our system again to better accommodate the times as the pandemic has revealed that immigration workers are the backbone of the U.S economy. I know multiple families living in fear constantly of being ripped from their family and they shouldn’t for people who work jobs very crucial to this country. I want to help not only in a reform of the system but give back to my community and help them live their life in peace. What complicates the system so much is the overall lack of focus or goal into who can or can’t come into this country and what are the possible ways they can reach this country legally. The main four ways to get into this country legally is either by family, employment, refugee status or lottery. Each one of these ways is more complicated than the next with some needing to wait four or five decades to only be considered. Others it takes a few months which begs the question on the U.S’s priorities. As a country founded upon my immigrants, the immigration system should give priority to how to let more people in, not focus on how to keep people out. The U.S has benefited greatly from the people who have come to this country and we can continue to expand those benefits if we can find a clear purpose. The system has suffered from too many officials trying to create solutions to small problems without dealing with the large one at hand. In making the system unbearably long and difficult to understand, people have instead gone to great lengths to make a life in this country. It has gone to the point where there are entire underground systems dedicated to helping many people cross the border through smugglers sometimes referred to as “coyotes”. Obviously bringing in more people means more problems as well but the benefits do outweigh the costs. If you give someone a chance to be free from poor finances, violence or death, most of the time, these people will appreciate that opportunity and pay it forward by being good citizens and rising up the economic ladder. Once the U.S better understand that, the better we can fix all issues regarding immigration.
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Post by ericrousso on Apr 19, 2021 2:48:44 GMT
Weekend Journal #1:
One field of law that I am interested in is criminal law, specifically defending those convicted and placed on death row. In my opinion, capital punishment is an embodiment of cruel and unusual punishment. Far too many times throughout United States history have there been cases where innocent people are put on death row. Morally speaking, the chance that someone who is subjected to the worst possible punishment the United States criminal justice system has to offer is actually innocent erases justification for that punishment. One study, published by the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, found that at least 4% of inmates on death row are actually innocent. 4% may seem like a small number, but the burden of justification to keep death row as a practical form of punishment is necessarily high. Unless that number is 0%, then sentencing innocent people to death is one of the highest moral crimes the United States can commit. An argument can also be made to abolish the death penalty even if we were somehow able to reduce the percent innocent to zero. The standards of justice in the United States are based on classical Judeo-Christian morals. Of course, different people have different opinions on these morals. If the government were to utilize the punishment of death, based on these morals, they would essentially be ignoring the opinions of anyone else who holds different values. For example, our current system permits the use of the death penalty in some states. However, if other people believe in a system that does not permit the use of the death penalty, then our government would be ignoring its people. Economically speaking, death row has shown to cost the government enormous sums of money, even more than it would cost just to keep prisoners in prison for life. According to the Commission on the Fair Administration of Justice, the additional cost of confining an inmate to death row, as compared to the maximum-security prisons where those sentenced to life without the possibility of parole ordinarily serve their sentences, is $90,000 per year per inmate.” Mathematically, this results in a death penalty system where taxpayers pay more than $114 million a year than they would if these inmates were simply kept in a maximum-security penitentiary without the possibility of parole. What confuses me about this statistic, however, is how it appears not enough to convince state governments to abolish the death penalty. Money can be a powerful motivator behind policy, so cutting unnecessary costs should be a top priority of the government. Nonetheless, the death penalty persists. Finally, capital punishment has proved to be a biased system. People of color are far more likely to receive the death penalty, even more so when the victim is white. According to the American Civil Liberties Union, between 1930 and 1996, 4,220 prisoners were sentenced to death. Of these, more than half were black. Additionally, although about 49% of all homicide victims are white, 77% of capital punishment homicide cases involve white victims. This inequality in victims demonstrates how the government discriminates against people of color when giving out the death penalty. Evidently, the death penalty is a morally corrupt, economically nonsensical, and racially targeted system that needs to be abolished.
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Post by hannasato on Apr 19, 2021 4:58:10 GMT
Weekend Journal #1:
Although I am currently unsure what field of law I want to go into, I am currently aspiring to work in immigration law. This aligns closely with my passion for social justice and above all I want to be in a line of work that I feel strongly about.
Immigration laws essentially regulate who is allowed to enter a country, how long they are able to stay, and their rights and responsibilities as non-citizens. The responsibility of immigration lawyers, in the United States specifically, is to advise and represent these non-citizens before USCIS (Bureau of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services), which oversees all immigration-related applications and matters. Specifically, immigration lawyers advise non-citizens on their petitions for green cards, visas, work permits, and a multitude of other applications related to citizenship status. Furthermore, immigration lawyers represent non-citizens for cases of deportation, naturalization, and for related cases which threaten the status of their citizenship.
Immigration laws first came into effect in the United States in 1790 with the Naturalization Act which specified that free whites with “good moral character” who had lived in the U.S. for two years were eligible for naturalization. From there, immigration laws became specific as the U.S. government began to shut out specific groups of individuals (Eastern European, Chinese, and Indochinese immigrants). Today, immigration laws continue to have these racist and exclusionary undertones, seen in former President Trump’s executive order which banned granting citizenship to citizens from Sudan, Syria, Iraq, Iran, Libya, Somalia, and Yemen, his increased border control, and “zero-tolerance policy” for illegally crossing the U.S.-Mexico border. Even under the Biden administration, the amount of immigrants granted citizenship is significantly lower than in past years (around 125,000 now compared to around 207,000 in the 80’s). Immigration laws have always been inherently racist and exclusionary and as a result have created a system that, as the Naturalization Act of 1790 clearly states, enables and protects white people.
As I mentioned earlier, I am unsure what path of law I want to pursue and am also unsure if I want to pursue immigration law from the standpoint of a lawyer or policymaker. I would love to be able to work directly with immigrants and advocate for their citizenship, naturalization, and other case issues. But as an immigration lawyer, the change I can create is limited because it is the policies and system in place that keeps them from seeking a better life in the United States. Therefore, I am also interested in immigration policy as it will allow me to make a larger impact overall, enabling thousands of immigrants to obtain citizenship.
I am incredibly privileged to have access to the education and resources I have now. I have these opportunities and means because my mother was able to immigrate from South Korea and find a better life than the one she would have in her home country. It seems only fitting that I should use that privilege to help those do the same, to give them the opportunity to find a better life for themselves and their children.
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Post by kylienakamoto on Apr 19, 2021 6:12:33 GMT
Weekend 1: 4/18 I am unsure on what type of law I would like to pursue, but one area that interests me is Civil Rights Law. In general, civil rights lawyers deal with cases that encompass human rights that are guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution and legislation. They advocate for the protection and expansion of these rights. They fight for justice for their clients whose civil rights have been violated in some way. This area of law is very complex, since courts can modify rights and many laws and different judicial interpretations have expanded over time. Civil Rights also has to deal with statutes that have been enacted by the government, including the Civil Rights Act and Equal Pay Act. The Supreme Court has an important role in helping to define civil rights, as the concept has expanded over time. Some examples of civil rights violations include cruel and unusual punishment, unreasonable searches and seizures, and abuse by a public official. Another common type is any act of discrimination, including losing a job due to discrimination, or discrimination due to an insincere belief.
Some tasks performed by civil rights attorneys are researching cases, drafting documents, negotiating settlements, and arguing cases in court. Usually, they participate in civil cases where someone is denied something, such as service or employment, because of their age, gender, ethnicity, or disability. Civil rights attorneys can also be involved in criminal trials though, which includes hate crimes and violent acts. Civil rights attorneys are hired to represent clients against unjust harassment and discrimination. This job can be highly stressful. Key skills include critical thinking, analytical reasoning, writing and research skills, and the ability to negotiate. The median salary for this career (in 2019) ranges from $45,000 to $200,000 per year.
To be a civil rights attorney, you would need a bachelor’s degree as well as a Juris Doctor degree. It is advisable to take courses that specialize in constitutional law and courses dealing with civil rights, discrimination, disabilities, and more. One piece of advice is that civil rights lawyers should not focus too narrowly on solely civil rights or civil liberties, but also on more specific courses such as negotiable and mediation, and statutory interpretation. These narrower elective courses increase students’ knowledge of the field. Another piece of advice is to volunteer at a civil rights legal clinic. This allows students to get hands-on experience working in their speciality field, and can give them an edge when competing for a job.
An example of what civil rights attorneys can do is help minority groups who may previously not have any enforceable civil rights. The attorney can file a lawsuit saying that an existing law should be interpreted to apply to the group, and a new law can be passed that protects this group from discrimination. Then, civil rights attorneys can file lawsuits alleging illegal discrimination, which would help enforce the minority group’s legal rights.
A key part of being a civil rights attorney is compassion and the ability to listen to communities, and help them find solutions to their needs. Attorneys attempt to find the root cause of a problem so that it does not reoccur. An attorney in this field must be passionate about helping others and eliminating systemic as well as individual violations of the law, especially toward underrepresented groups. This is an issue I am very passionate about and am highly interested in pursuing. In the end, it is about working day by day to chip away at a flawed system that hurts clients.
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Post by elainekim on Apr 19, 2021 6:55:56 GMT
Weekend Journal #1:
The field of law that I am most interested in currently is criminal law. I am specifically interested in the position of a criminal defense attorney and how that occupation operates under criminal law. After researching these topics, I was able to learn a lot of new information that has helped me become better informed as I didn’t know much about it until now.
I was able to learn that criminal law mainly revolves around what constitutes a crime, the appropriate punishment, and outlining the guide to the criminal process which includes investigations and sentences. It differs from civil law in that it specifically deals with criminal acts such as theft or murder since it inflicts harm upon any potential victims and poses dangers to other people. Cases within criminal law usually result in fines or a prison sentence and the specific rules for each crime differ between states and on a national level.
Crimes under criminal law can fall into different categories. There are felonies that can result in imprisonment for a year or more. Both physically harming and non-physically harming acts can be considered a felony such as murder as well as fraud. The next category is a misdemeanor which is treated as crimes warranting lesser punishments than a felony such as reckless driving or vandalism. Although they usually only result in a fine, infractions can also fall under criminal law since those situations still include interactions between the person and the criminal process where laws are involved. Reading more into these foundational aspects of criminal law helped me better understand the role of a criminal defense attorney.
The specific reason why I am passionate about the role of a criminal defense attorney is that I want to be able to contribute support and a voice for marginalized communities that are unjustly targeted by the legal systems in this country. One example would be the large discrepancies between the rate and level of punishment at which white people are arrested and charged for marijuana and other drug possession compared to Black and brown people. I strongly believe that incarceration is immoral and does not uphold true justice. Because of that and my own support for prison abolition, I want to be able to work with individuals of different communities to help them avoid prison time if possible and be able to negotiate with the prosecutors after personally investigating a case.
Criminal defense attorneys experience a lengthy process for each case they are involved in. It involves the assigning of the case, interviewing, investigating, analyzing evidence, jury selection, and possible plea bargaining. This all leads up to the very crucial trial where the lawyer will fight to defend their client. Even if the defendant is sentenced, the lawyer is still able to present information to the judge and jury that may result in lesser punishment or possible alternatives.
I feel very strongly about criminal justice and I have always wanted to hold a career that would allow me to feel as though I am contributing to greater social causes and radical change, no matter how small. Although the job of a lawyer itself exists within a legal system that has proven itself to uphold institutionalized racism and capitalism, I feel as though trying to work from within the system at times can help promote change and directly reach individuals.
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Post by vidyapatel on Apr 25, 2021 19:42:28 GMT
Weekend Journal #2: drive.google.com/file/d/1idaWsduAaaklqScBUI_ivkP8AxdnFhwQ/view?usp=sharing I had my big/little date with Anita this weekend and to put it simply it was the best time. Every time I talk to Anita my mind is blown at the number of things we have in common and the countless amount of ways I've always wanted a role model just like her. She was so kind and ordered me sushi from my favorite sushi place nearby and she made herself some Pho! Just like my mom, she is a great cook and thus does not feel the need to always follow the directions on instant food boxes which really made me laugh. The first highlight of the date was when she was actually able to meet my Mom. She knows how special my relationship with my Mom is and when they met it made me so happy to see how great they get along. Anita, being a transfer student, attended community college prior to coming to UCLA and we had a really great conversation on the value of community college. She told me about the courses she took and the jobs she worked all while studying. It was really inspiring to hear how dedicated she was and how self-aware she was when she was at community college- knowing she did not have it all figured out she took the time there to find out what her true passions were and now is further able to carry them out. As mentioned earlier Anita balanced many jobs while taking 6-8 classes which is unheard of for students in the semester system. The ability to time manage all her work and engage in social life- which she always has- is something I really admire. I find that I often focus on solely school and disregard my social life for the sake of getting good grades and I know my time with Anita will help me change for the better. The second highlight of the call was when I was telling Anita about some of my favorite places near me in Philly and I mentioned how I would go to Wawa to get "hoagies" and she had no idea what that word meant. It was really funny and I could not stop laughing, but once I explained that it was just another word for a sub she was excited to use the word with Aneri- her adopted big- who is also from the East Coast. We shared our experiences and unbelievable stories growing up in predominantly white communities and more specifically the customers we have had to deal with when working. We have a shared pride for our culture and are so grateful that our parents, even amidst the communities we lived in, prioritized and immersed us from a young age. Also, it was funny to learn that she was born on the East Coast and now lives on the West and I am the opposite. One of the most meaningful activities I participated in during high school was Ethics Bowl. I grew such an appreciation for the principles I was taught and the subject itself. When I learned that Anita majors in Philosophy I was so excited to hear about the classes she took, readings she had, and her overall experience with the major. She recommended a few classes for me to take and I really look forward to taking them in my years to come. Above all, spending time with Anita made me realize that the way she carries herself and her work ethic are all traits that I hope to embody and learn from. I believe that every accomplishment I have had is a result of those I have surrounded myself with and looked up to. Whether it was upperclassmen in high school, my cousins, my parents, or even people on the news- having a role model and being inspired is really important to me. Having someone who inspires me puts a pep in my step and keeps me on track. Anita is really wise and I feel so grateful to have the opportunity to learn from her and more importantly grow a friendship with her. I have no idea how the time flew by, but I cannot wait to talk with her again soon.
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Post by ericrousso on Apr 26, 2021 0:28:04 GMT
Weekend Journal #2: drive.google.com/file/d/1KdIcW2O1FdUxs6y3LQkgkdEmpExZQUh_/view?usp=sharingI think I might find it difficult to put the experience of my big/little date with Chloe and Zz into words. I’ll start with my expectations. At first, I was nervous. I had never met Chloe in person before, and I only really knew her from Kappa Alpha Pi social events and some activities in Hillel. Although I am typically a very social person, I find it difficult (or at least energy-consuming) to make conversation and familiarize myself with someone in such a small-group setting. As such, I was extremely worried that our interactions would be awkward, forced, or unnecessary (or all of the three). Starting from the night before our date, Chloe was texting Zz and me about what she should pick up from Trader Joes, and if we had any specific requests. I told her I wanted cheese and crackers. The next morning, I had an interview with Matthew at 10 AM. That was slightly difficult to get up for, especially considering I had gone to sleep at 3:30 AM the night before (or that morning, if you want to get technical). I thoroughly enjoyed that interview, and it was nice to continue getting to know Matthew. I love the interview process in general, as I feel like after each interview, I am getting to know the active body just a little bit more. Anyways, I left my apartment to meet Chloe right after the interview. She had just finished up her Trader Joes run, and was waiting in her car right outside Target. She had also gotten Starbucks for me and Zz, which was another reflection of Chloe’s fantastic character. Of course, material goods are not the only reason why I appreciate Chloe. Ever since I found out she was my big, she has made constant and consistent efforts to reach out and build a relationship with me and Zz. She is kind, compassionate, and seemingly always willing to talk. After she had gotten us Starbucks, I grabbed a couple of Yerbs from my apartment and headed down to her car. When I got there, Zz was already sitting in the passenger seat so I hopped in the back seat. Chloe then drove us to a parking structure right by campus. From the parking structure, we grabbed the grocery bags out of her car. She did not tell us what was in them, as to create an essence of surprise for our picnic (something Chloe seems to be quite fond of). We then navigated our way through campus to Janns, where we found a perfect shaded patch of grass to lay Zz’s blanket on. We unloaded the groceries, and it turns out Chloe had gotten us quite a spread! There were cheeses (an amazing asiago cheese and a super awesome brie), crackers, fruit (some of the reddest strawberries I have ever seen), Trader Joe’s Takis, and other goods. Once we settled down, we immediately flowed into a conversation. Chloe was always willing to contribute and was very attentive, so after a few minutes, any fear I had about potential awkwardness disappeared. Conversation flowed, and before I knew it, we had already been sitting for a couple of hours. Zz and I had mandatory study hours at 2:30, and she really had to pee, so Chloe quickly drove us back to our apartment (the Glendon). Chloe also had tickets to go to the Hammer Museum at 3, so she had to leave as well. By the time I got back to my apartment for study hours, I was thrilled at how the date had gone. Chloe is an amazing person, Zz is an awesome twin, and I know I have so much to look forward to.
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Post by kylienakamoto on Apr 26, 2021 2:41:43 GMT
Weekend Journal #2: drive.google.com/file/d/1FBqAj3z6L6Qyq--5u6MzhdIfCCW8Nh-T/view?usp=sharingI am so excited to see my Big, Akunnia, on Monday. The first thing we plan to do is she will drop off my big little basket, and then we will just talk for a bit since I am pretty busy Monday. The next day, we plan to have a picnic on Janss, which I am very excited about. I don’t know what food we will have, but I hope we have pink lemonade and take cute pictures. Another activity we plan to do is go out to brunch and go thrifting, hopefully, next weekend. Overall, we have had the chance to FaceTime a lot and get to know each other. I thought it was so cool that she has a twin sister! We shared our baby photos which was super fun. We both live for “tea”, so we talked about any drama we had. We talked about how it was fate that I ran into her in the Glendon elevator before I even knew she was my Big! One thing I learned from my big is that it is okay to make mistakes as long as you learn and grow from them. Even though I made the same mistake twice, I hope to work harder to fix it in the future. I also learned to not doubt myself or get too down on myself when I mess up or am overwhelmed. She is showing me the importance of maintaining a positive attitude and reminding me that I deserve to be here and that I am good enough. However, she also helps me improve and work to grow as much as I can. Mentorship is valuable in creating a support system and someone that you can go to for anything. The mentor is important in helping to realize the mentee’s potential. The mentee may have potential but not know exactly how to build it, and it is the job of the mentor to guide the mentee in the right direction. A mentor is important in helping the mentee become more comfortable and gain confidence, which the mentee can then use to become more independent and wise. Then, the mentee hopefully gains the skills to become a mentor in the future. At the same time, a mentor must also hold the mentee accountable, and make sure they learn from their mistakes. Akunnia is an amazing mentor in that she is always there for me, and makes me feel better when I feel stressed or overwhelmed. She is helping me gain confidence in myself and grow professionally. She is so funny and can always make me laugh, always knows how to have a good time, but also is so smart and hardworking. I admire how easy it is to talk to her, and how well she is able to balance her commitments. She is the best “mother” I could ask for. A good work/life balance is important in shaping a well-rounded person, and making sure that someone isn’t too overwhelmed, while also holding them accountable. Akunnia is great at helping me maintain this balance, by reminding me that I shouldn’t let stressing over Kappa Alpha Pi assignments overwhelm me, and to still focus on school. I was very stressed on Friday, but she urged me to spend time with my boyfriend and family, especially during my last few days at home. This advice helped me greatly, and I had a great Saturday, spending time with my family and finally not worrying. This helped me realize that a good work/life balance is key to making sure I’m not too stressed and that I can have fun, while also taking the time to work hard in my commitments and be productive. If I only worked, I would be overwhelmed and develop a more negative mindset, which could cause me to lose motivation in the long term. If I only focused on life, I would not be productive or feel satisfied, as I would not be fulfilling my goals for my life, which could hurt my mental health as well. I will aim to do better in scheduling my assignments, so I am able to balance all of my commitments while also taking time for myself.
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