Question of the Day

Lately, I've had a spate of clients with unreasonable demands. The demands are invariably for a deal which is unrealistic. Client is arrested for her 6th grand larceny and wants "this little charge" to disappear with time served at the preliminary hearing date. Client has a simple possession charge but a long history of convictions for violent felonies and tells me he won't do anything longer than 6 months. Client has multiple possession with intent charges and wants a plea bargain for 6 months¹. Of course, all this is part of the job, but it set me to wondering . . .

Why 6 months? Why is it that no matter how serious the offense or how long the client's criminal record is he always thinks his case should settle out for - at most - 6 months or less?

Rather than spinning out a theory of my own I thought I'd throw this one out to ya'll. Anyone got a theory?



¹ None of these are actual fact patterns from current cases.