The Angel

In the northern most part of Denver, Colorado is a place called Adams County. Part of it is home to some of the poorest people, the drug lords rule here, theft is rampant, marital problems occur in loud raucous displays that neighbors report for fear someone will be killed. It is not a good place to live. No one would live here, if they really had a choice, but it is much cheaper than the city, or the more affluent places, so people do live here, good, hard working poor people who just happen to live in a bad place.

Police take liberties here that they would never dream of in the richer suburbs, knowing these folks cannot afford the pricey attorneys wealthier people would hire to find justice. Still, these people deserve justice. They are human beings and they are fallible. People make mistakes and not all mistakes are equally vile. People have a right to have their day in court and to hear the truth told on that day. They have a right to be judged fairly and receive a fair decision from a system that tends to work better if you have enough money to play the game with big name attorneys who can afford to make deals and do whatever is necessary on your behalf. Poor people don’t always have that option in this country, whether we like to believe that, or not.

Colorado is a good state to live in if you need a Public Defender. They have good mentors, good attorneys, good support for young Public Defenders, and these guys work hard, a minimum of sixty to seventy hour weeks doing the best they can to bring about justice for the poorest of the poor.

There is a new Public Defender this year. He just started in August and he works in Adams County. He is young, idealistic, brilliant, was at the top of his class in law school. He isn’t afraid to try things the older guys sometimes are too cynical to bother with, but he is not so arrogant that he doesn’t listen to these elders either. Like all those in his position, he is swamped, but he still finds time to sit down and talk to his clients. He wants to know what they are accused of, what really happened in their words, why they think it happened. Whether or not they feel the police report is correct and why they feel that way. He is not afraid to go to court if he feels it is necessary and his track record is pretty amazing. Last week he was in court four times and won four times.

He already has a reputation. The rumor is, if you are arrested in Adams County, you want The Angel, because he is fair and honest and good.

I was so proud to hear this. He is my hero. He is also my son.