[blindlaw] attention criminal lawyers who work in courts

Tue Jun 21 18:48:38 UTC 2011

hello,
let the clerk of the court know what you need. either one of two things can happen. one of the justices will say, counsel you have a minute left [don't let this bother you] or the court as the illinois supreme court did ring a small bell at the one minute mark. usually the state courts don't get too upset if you run over a few seconds. and this is true for all attorneys. i have never argued in the federal courts, but again, i assume that the judges there will come up with an audible signal to let you know when you're getting to the end of your time.

--- On Tue, 6/21/11, Susan Kelly <Susan.Kelly at pima.gov> wrote:

From: Susan Kelly <Susan.Kelly at pima.gov>
Subject: Re: [blindlaw] attention criminal lawyers who work in courts
To: "NFBnet Blind Law Mailing List" <blindlaw at nfbnet.org>
Date: Tuesday, June 21, 2011, 1:18 PM

Denise - how do you handle the time issue on oral arguments since (I assume) you cannot use the clock on the podium?  I have not had an oral argument since losing my vision (our appellate court here in Southern Arizona doesn't grant many in criminal / juvenile delinquencies), so that has been in the back of my mind as a potential problem.  So far, we have come up with a co-worker going with me to somehow signal me as to the times left.

-----Original Message-----
From: blindlaw-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blindlaw-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of denise avant
Sent: Tuesday, June 21, 2011 9:12 AM
To: NFBnet Blind Law Mailing List
Subject: Re: [blindlaw] attention criminal lawyers who work in courts

Hello,
I am from Illinois. I am currently assigned to the Legal Resources Division of the public defenders office. I work in both the trial and appellate court.
I use lots of technology in performing my job. When i work on briefs, and have arguments before the appellate court and illinois supreme court, I print out my argument and other key points in Braille. I use jaws to research and write petitions, responses and briefs. I also use openbook to scan in some transcripts, though i also receive some of the transcripts from the court reporters office here in town. 
i use my Braillenote to load on cases in case i need to refer to them while sitting at counsel table or if i am on the go.
even if i have an evidentiary hearing in the circuit court, i may have my questions or an outline of the direct and/or cross in hardcopy Braille. 
I also use a slate and stylus to take a few notes while sitting and listening to questions and answers and arguments of counsel.
of course, i do have a reader assigned to me to read handwritten police reports and any other documents that cannot be scanned.

you might want to think of investing in the openbook peral reading system. the openbook is a scanning reading system, and with the addition of the pearl camera is extremely portable, as it can be plugged into a laptop (usb) and you can scan documents for reading wherever you are. if you use Braille, you may want to invest in the Braillenote or one of the other portable notetakers. 

--- On Tue, 6/21/11, RJ Sandefur <joltingjacksandefur at gmail.com> wrote:

From: RJ Sandefur <joltingjacksandefur at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [blindlaw] attention criminal lawyers who work in courts
To: "NFBnet Blind Law Mailing List" <blindlaw at nfbnet.org>
Date: Tuesday, June 21, 2011, 9:27 AM

I'd be interested how you prepare briefs in word using Jaws Have you argued before the Supreme court of Texas? And What law school did you attend? I'm thinking about going in to law. I'm 32 years old. RJ
----- Original Message ----- From: "Shannon Geihsler" <sbg at sbgaal.com>
To: "'NFBnet Blind Law Mailing List'" <blindlaw at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Tuesday, June 21, 2011 10:17 AM
Subject: Re: [blindlaw] attention criminal lawyers who work in courts

> I do criminal defense work in the courtroom and I use a laptop with jaws and
> a Nokia smart phone with talks.
> 
> I would be interested in knowing if there is other technology out there that
> might be helpful.
> 
> I also have the KNFB reader, but I am not happy with it'.
> Sincerely,
> 
> Shannon Geihsler
> 
> Law Office of Shannon Brady Geihsler, PLLC
> 1001 Main St., Suite 803
> Lubbock, TX 79401
> Phone: 763-3999
> Fax: 749-3752
> 
> This email may contain material that is confidential, privileged and/or
> attorney work product for the sole use of the intended recipient. Any
> review, reliance or distribution by others or forwarding without express
> permission is strictly prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient,
> please contact the sender and delete all copies.
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: blindlaw-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blindlaw-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
> Behalf Of Vaughan Roles
> Sent: Tuesday, June 21, 2011 3:40 AM
> To: blindlaw
> Subject: [blindlaw] attention criminal lawyers who work in courts
> 
> Hi list,
> 
> Is there any totally blind criminal lawyers on list who regularly
> appear in high volume court lists? If so, could you drop me an email
> letting me know what technology you use.
> 
> -- Vaughan Roles
> Ph: 0425211038
> 
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