This is not my blog.

Today I was in the middle of a hearing at the Mental Hygiene Court and the power went off for most of our block in downtown Charleston. Our courtroom area is stuck in the back of the courthouse locked off from the rest of the first floor with only one exterior window that is neither in the courtroom nor in the two holding cells. When the lights go off it is very dark because the only emergency light is in the hallway. The first time that this happened was last summer when I was sitting next to a guy who was fairly unpredictable and a little on the dangerous side. It was certainly an "oh shit" moment. This time wasn't quite as bad but it still seems like we should have an emergency light in the courtroom and in the holding cells because one of my clients really freaked out when the lights went off today (and I can't say that I wouldn't have done the same). Order was maintained and we did the last two hearings by flashlight, a little awkward, but manageable. Still, one of these days it might get ugly. Luckily, I can usually rely upon the lawyer-trust bond that seems to form with a client and his or her lawyer. I've only been in fear that I might get hit or otherwise assaulted a handful of times over the last year. I've had several unexpected hugs, including one today, but no assaults. In fact, today one of the workers from the local psychiatric hospital paid me a very high compliment that she thought that I had a really nice way with talking with people and getting them to open up like peeling the petals back on a delicate flower (or something like that). The deputies were rolling their eyes as she told the room this after our hearing. I like working with her, we understand each other, but I was truly flattered by her kind words today and didn't expect her spontaneous compliment. I guess I've learned a lot of things while working this job. Hopefully I'll learn a lot more in the next year.

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