Recently, I enrolled in a Business Law course at my local community college. I desire to undertake an MBA program eventually so I’m brushing up on other related classes as well.

The Local CC I attend has a pretty diverse demographic makeup, but with a black American majority.

John, why not “African-American”? Well, because I like to include black people when I talk about America. That’s my anti-segregation way of thinking.

Anyways…

The first couple classes of Business Law require you to learn the basics of law, to include the foundations, and also the most common terms associated with American law such as criminal law, tort law, the different courts, classifications of law/crimes/etc… The business applications of it will come later in the course.

Being an older student, my attitude towards learning tends to be a bit more serious than the early twenties students, so my level of involvement when it comes to responding to my professor’s questions comes forth much more readily than the others. I remember being a younger college student that I relied on the professor to teach me everything, but I did not require myself to learn it and it seems that many in my law class are like that right now.

Well, today we covered criminal law. The funny thing about this is that I’m the only white person in my class, and up until today I was the only one really participating in a class discussion which was mostly just between me and the professor. Telling a story like this makes me uncomfortable because usually I like to deflect attention away from me by empathizing and relating to you, my readers and keeping the focus on “our” conversation. The last few days however, I’ve been feeling lonely and by myself and me is all the material I have… until today!

Again, today we covered criminal law. I cannot adequately describe to you how wonderful class was. Everyone was involved in the criminal law discussion like it was everyone’s business!

Now, let me be perfectly clear for you. This is not meant to be racially charged, but there is an element to this story that will undoubtedly make it seem so, so I will reference a comedic joke by Dave Chappelle in which he states that every person in the ghetto practically is a paralegal. Mr. Chappelle makes this stereotype because there is a level of truth in this matter, and here is why: It is no secret that in American history, the media has covered the offenses committed by black Americans with a higher level of scrutiny than the white Americans. This has led to widespread racial profiling, injustices against the blacks, and other shameful events perpetrated by racists. These shameful events committed by racists has made our legal system/process a way of life for many of our black population and their knowledge of it should come as no surprise.

My seemingly uninvolved classmates had come out of nowhere. They were all participating, discussing, griping, and demonstrating quite a remarkable knowledge of criminal law. They knew the difference between felonies and misdemeanors, the trial process, prosecution and defense, nearly everything except for textbook definitions which cover a little more detail. My entire class, of which I’m the only white person, had all of a sudden become interested and passionate about the law.

I laughed at this, not out of ridicule or disbelief, but because a joke by Dave Chappelle had played itself out in front of me as being true.

It is my sincere desire that my class will keep the level of learning intensity that was exhibited today. My law professor was clearly pleased at how he was able to connect with everyone through the criminal law discussion, and it made for a great learning experience. Many misconceptions were brought to light and explained in depth, to include some perceived injustices that come with court-appointed attorneys.

Let’s get into that, and reckon it…

What is your level of optimism or pessimism regarding court-appointed attorneys?

The belief is that they do not put the same amount of effort into a case that a private law firm attorney will since the money to be earned is way below private firm attorney potential. Most of the students in my class swore to never use a court-appointed attorney. (It worried me that these people even needed to make such a comment, because it came across as though they were resigned to being in criminal court at some point)

I sided with my law teacher (who is a licensed lawyer) who said that like everything in life, there are no guarantees the level of effort you will get from someone. Some court-appointed lawyers truly care about the legal process and see it through thoroughly, others simply want to speed through it without respecting the process, not really caring about representing thoroughly their client. This is fact of life that applies to every society.

How do you feel? Should the need arise, would you trust a court-appointed attorney to represent you, or would you fork out serious cash and hire a private attorney?

Bear in mind, that here in America we more often than not, get what we pay for.