The Importance Of Trial By Jury.....

To have the right to be judged by an impartial group of your peers is as fundamental
as it gets in our legal system. Ideally it levels the playing field and recognizes each
of the parties as equals, regardless of their economic status.  Practically speaking
it puts the essence of our judicial framework to the test, where due process and
fairness are afforded to both sides and neither is allowed an unfair advantage. Its
a place where bias and prejudice are eliminated, if not reduced to a bare minimum,
and where the rule of law becomes the norm. Last but not least, from an interaction
stand point in our society its as democratic as it gets. Where else can you directly
experience that type of checks and balances type power or participate in that kind
of justice "by the people"? Only in America!   


"I consider trial by jury as the only anchor ever yet imagined by man, by which a
government can be held to the principles of its constitution."  -Thomas Jefferson

Not Just A Trial Attorney, But A Counselor At Law!

Our duty as lawyers is not just to file lawsuits and always be in Court but to prevent
our clients and others from winding up in front of a Judge or Jury.  We must never
forget to emphasize respect for and compliance with the law as well as, whenever
possible, helping others to settle their differences in an amicable fashion.  If that
means avoiding controversies or reasonably compromising competing claims, so
be it.  Our society can well afford to be less litigious, while at the same time being
more tolerant and accommodating.  Each of us has a responsibility to get along for
the sake of the greater good. The best attorneys can not only advocate but find
common ground/creative solutions that avoids long term conflicts and expensive
court battles.

Remember: "Discourage litigation. Persuade your neighbors to compromise
whenever you can. As a peacemaker the lawyer has superior opportunity
of being a good man. There will still be business enough."-Abraham Lincoln

Government must also follow the law!

It is the responsibility of our Government to follow the law to the same degree as our citizens. The law applies to all of us and no one is above the law.  When the law is universally applied we all benefit. When the opposite occurs we all lose.  The law requires accountability and responsibility...so should we! 

May God continue to bless our country!

MCFIII


Our government... teaches the whole people by its example.  If the government becomes the lawbreaker, it breeds contempt for law; it invites every man to become a law unto himself; it invites anarchy.  ~Louis Dembitz Brandeis

The Just Are Always Fair And Consistently Render Due Process Onto All

DUE PROCESS AND FAIRNESS ARE PART OF THE JUSTICE EQUATION!  It matters not the
issue, claim or controversy.  Fundamental fairness and due process must be afforded to all
from the most popular to the most despised.  In order for Justice to prevail, it must also be
meaningful, transparent and beyond reproach.  It must allow the accuser as well as the
accused their fair day in court. Its rules must be equally and evenly applied, its laws
consistently upheld.  Anything less is injustice and calls into question the very essence
of what an enlightened, civilized society with its rule of law represents.

Remember: "He who decides a case without hearing the other side, though he decide
justly, cannot be considered just."  -Seneca

Justice doesn't sit on the fence.....

Justice does not procrastinate, rather it is purposeful and proactive!  When you encounter that which is wrong, it must be called out, criticized, protested and corrected. Otherwise if you ignore it, you too become unjust and part of the problem. The duty of Justice is not for the faint, but for the courageous!  Always be the change that you would like to see in others and leave this world better than you found it!

Remember:  "Justice consists not in being neutral between right and wrong, but in finding out the right and upholding it, wherever found, against the wrong." -Theodore Roosevelt

The American In All Of Us......

When we put aside all the politics and put our Country first, that is when we become
true Americans!  We cannot ignore that we are a nation of immigrants...from the
Mayflower to the present.  Our greatness lies in our diversity as well as our
willingness to seek and do God's will in this the land of opportunity!  It is a
privilege to call the United States of America our home, yet we each bear
a responsibility to preserve the Constitution and keep this Nation true to
the founding principles of liberty and justice for all!

MCFIII


WHAT IS AN AMERICAN?
        -By  Michael Brown


“An American is not delineated by a particular skin color or way of life.  He is a person from many places, with many shades of skin; of different sizes and varied energies.  He has a Master’s Degree, or he may never have finished high school.  He may drive an expensive automobile, or perhaps he relies on two mules to carve his living out of the earth.  But regardless of what he is, lacing the different physical features together is a bond of strength in tradition which exemplifies the American way; a way which opens the doors of opportunity to all peoples who may knock upon them.  An American has a spirit which was born when the bells tolled of independence, and which has released the adrenalin of his nation time and time again when its existence was threatened by an aggressor.”

“An American does not view armed conflict as a means of getting what he wants, but rather as a means of protecting what he has.  He is one who loves the very concept of peace for all nations, but will not hesitate to fight on the shores of others to protect his own.  An American sees the knowledge of experience in his past, feels pride in the accomplishments of the present, and has hope for the future of the world, even when others would view the days to come with dismay.  But a realistic American finds no gurantee of freedom or security in the future solely because he has always had it in the past.” 

“An American recognizes the faults of his system and seeks to correct them through a process unknown to many nations.  A process which does not promise absolute perfection, but one which allows for peaceful change if change is needed.  That process is democracy, and an American holds that word so dear, that he stands ready at a moment’s notice to lay down his life for its perpetuation.” 

“An American finds nothing at all unusual about getting cold chills when his flag passes in review, for his flag has always been a source of inspiration; when the smoke cleared over Fort McHenry, when its sheen was reflected on the sands of Iwo Jima, and when the colors glistened on the side of the craft which took the first man to the moon.  An American sees nothing strange about getting a lump in his throat when the National Anthem is played, or weeping unashamed when taps is played for one who paid the ultimate price for his freedom.  He realizes that the only thing that exceeds that price is the freedom itself.  An American never forgets the indebtedness he has because of that sacrifice, for without it, his freedom would only be an unreachable concept in some philosopher’s mind.” 

“A true American is the essence of pride in a way of life.  What is an American, you say?  He is fortunate… ” 

Justice Must Matter To Us All

Human progress is neither automatic nor inevitable... Every step toward the goal of justice requires sacrifice, suffering, and struggle; the tireless exertions and passionate concern of dedicated individuals. -Martin Luther King, Jr.

Justice is to be pursued and achieved by all of us...not just the few.  We must each
contribute to its attainment. We must each strive to maintain justice, for justice is an
individual and collective goal.

May we always be a Just people, so we can all enjoy the benefits of a Just Nation!

MCFIII