Week 4

This week was the first week I was able to see one of my clients who I've been working with since the beginning go to court. I should actually say his case went to court, not actually him. He has been one of the more frustrating clients when it comes to doing his court mandated services, but really easy to talk with. He has done all of his services except for one, which makes me think that he doesn't really want his children back that much. He refuses to do DV classes because he feels that if he does, he will be admitting guilt for something he believes he did not do. So simply put, his pride is in the way for what he says he wants. The judge ruled that he is not in compliance with any of his services, whereas he sees it differently. He butt heads with his last social worker and now he has a new one that hopefully will get the ball moving. It is interesting working with clients who say they are doing one thing and in the end the court's findings are all together different.

On Wednesday, I went to court to listen to motions presented to the judge. It intrigued me that everything that happens has to be approved by the court. For such things as changes in times for visits, medication changes for the children, lawyers removing themselves from cases and transportation for the children. It intrigues me because some of these things I do everyday and could not imagine having a judge/lawyers make these decisions for me.

Friday I worked by myself, making phone calls and checking messages for another lawyer. I was able to get all of her tasks done that she asked of me. One conflict that came up with her was some paperwork that had not been sent to her by a social worker. The social worker told her it was at her office, in an envelope, just waiting for her to pickup. I took the initiative and drove up to her office and picked up the paperwork. The nice thing is now that case can move forward because everyone is on the same page. I know paperwork may sound trivial, but it's the little things that can hold a case up.