imported post
There's an awful lot of "posturing" on both sides, whether its a criminal OR a civil case. During my "trip thru Oz", a veritable legal odyssey? I was feeling intimidated by the prosecution's constant "too high offer". Everyone (not just MY side...) felt somethign reasonable like probation should have been offered, to clear up the court calendar. It made me feel intimidated to have "over 2 years" offered as the "deal".
My legal team shrugged it off. "They're bluffing...". I wasn't so sure at the time. Constant problems with full doscovery, constant continuances. Continuances are expected from the defense in a criminal case, not from the prosecutions side, LMAO. My legal team said the constant continuances coupled with the "hard roll" offer, was actually a sign of bluffing.
In the end, we were IN court, and the asst DA lady was arguing for yet another hearing on something. She finally got told she had to actually try the case. She refused, and they replaced her with another asst DA who said he would "give it a whirl". They lost. In the end, it was all a big bluff.
Here?? Heck the Brady foundation likes free publicity. The county your up against has already taken a body blow, could just be free publicity for the Bradys, and a cool bluff for the defense against your lawsuit. You know, at the discussions table? Its a card for the defendants "you know, you might wanna think about this offer we made again... you tick us off, we just might take the Brady offer, and withdraw this offer or even lower it more... your call..."
Its an aggravating game of chicken sometimes.
I have it on good authority that the Brady center views PA in general as a "complete wash". IE, they realize they are up against a state with a LOT of gun wners and hunters, and an active lobbying system against anti-gun measures. *shrugs* Anytime lobbyists admit they have problems in a state, thats a pretty strong point.
After the recent DC thing blowing up in their faces, the Brady is looking for ANY way they can "save face" and throw their weight around. Outside of Philly politics, they are kinda losing weight as a bully.
While this might LOOK really bad for your side... it might actually be a sign of weakness. A big bluff. If your legal team isn't intimidated, this is really just posturing. i mean, think about it... who would NOT accept a gift like a million dollar defense offer? You could quietly accept the offer, like hiding a trump card in Euchre... then walk into a court room and watch jaws drop when they saw who they had...
...this could be simple posturing. *shrugs*. Judges feel free to "legislate from the bench" when OUT of the spotlight. With the lights on and the camera rolling, NO judge likes having a ruling reversed by apellate measures. Makes them look bad, and in the future they can be intimidated by a good lawyer threatening an appeal.
Keep your chin up, and stay away fom the media.