People v. State

I can’t find the post now, but the first time I commented on Scott Greenfield’s Simple Justice blog back in late 2008 / early 2009 I had yet to try a case to a jury, and noted that fact in my comment. As I recall, this earned me being singled out for ridicule in Scott’s next post.

As of mid-March 2009 it was no longer the case that I’d never tried a case to a jury. I noted that change in status in a comment on Scott’s blog, and Scott replied:

I don’t know how much comfort this will bring, but you need to know that losing a trial never gets easier and never feels better.  I don’t care how long the lawyer’s been practicing, we all search ourselves after a defeat, blame ourselves, question ourselves and challenge ourselves.  Whether it’s your first trial or your 100th, it doesn’t change.  Every loss is a killer, and every good lawyer believes that he could have won if only he had done better because we have to believe in ourselves to do this job.

Since then I’ve been banned from Scott’s blog, twice. While I thought and still think the bannings were ridiculous, I can’t say I was completely without fault. I just couldn’t let a dis go unanswered, even though wanton disses were clearly part of the old man’s schtick. Scott also had some unbelievably unkind words for a fellow citizen of the blawgosphere whom I regard as a friend, that were over-the-top and unwarranted. But, while I certainly can’t speak for that friend, who was the recipient of words far more malicious than any I ever received, it seems to me being the tough guys we play on the internet entails a willingness to forget and maybe even forgive internet slights, eventually. The internet’s kind of unreal anyway.

Anyway, after 5 long years and 4,744 posts Scott’s shuttering the doors at Simple Justice. As I understand it, though, he’s not dead yet. He’s still twittering. There’s no law that says he can’t post again at Simple Justice, as often or as rarely as he likes. He’ll probably pop in and continue to comment on other blogs. Heck, he was just sighted in this recent interview, larger than life:

It’s time to let bygones be bygones. Scott, you’re no longer banned here at People v. State. Feel free to stop in anytime.

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