My first week in Guam has flown by. I have been assigned to work for two different judges, a male, Justice Unpingco and a female, Justice Sukola. I recently finished my first assignment in Judge Unpingcos Chambers, which involved writing a decision and order for a restitution hearing. Restitution is where a victim seeks compensation for losses incurred, when another commits a crime against him/her. My case involved a juvenile defendant who burglarized residential property. Amazingly I thought I would fight strongly for the victim, but ended up only recommending a portion of what he desired due to what the statutes and other case law allowed. I can’t wait to get feedback and it will be icing on the cake if the case is heard before I leave. If so perhaps I’ll get to see portions of my opinion published as part of the judge’s final ruling.
The primetime case that I have experienced thus far involves 10 different defendant cops, who will be represented by 9 different attorneys. The cops have been accused of unlawful beatings of up to 20 different victims. I suspect the case will have strong racial tension because all of the cops were from one village, while all of the victims were from another lower-class village. The case has so many parties and witnesses that most of the proceedings will have to occur in rental facilities outside of the Guam Judiciary. The Guam Judiciary does not have a facility large enough to hold the case. I thought the judge was joking when he said the jury selection process may occur in a tent outside of the court house to save trial costs. Apparently a pool of 500 jurors will be needed to select the 2 dozen jury members that will be needed.
On to FUN STUFF…on last Friday night a few of the other interns and I hung out at a local tavern. The tavern had a live band and to our surprise one of the band members was a current Superior Court Judge Perez. It was funny to see the judge on the bench in robe by day and rocking out on the guitar by night.
On my way back from the tavern I saw what looked like the biggest
crab hiking across the road. I had one virgin drink at the tavern so I know I was pretty coherent. The next day I told a local what I saw and he mentioned it must have been a coconut crab. I got to see a coconut crab up close at the Chamorro Village. One of the locals had it as a pet. I understand you can eat coconut crabs and most times people eat them before they grow to their largest size. Chamorro Village, which is named after the local Chamarros, is open every Wednesday and is an outdoor market place with lots of local food and festivities.
On last Saturday, Catrina, Cindy and I hung out at a local beach resort. Catrina moved to Guam almost 10 months ago and is working for a local law firm. Catrina went to law school at UF, with an old high school classmate of mine and we connected by way of Facebook. Catrina has b
een the BEST TOUR GUIDE EVER! Cindy is a friend of Catrina’s who is here in Guam on assignment with the IRS. Cindy treated us to tons of perks at the Fiesta Beach Resort. We ate from one of the biggest buffets I’ve ever seen, watched a few local dancers and chatted like old girlfriends while we watched the sunset on the beach. The most interesting thing I ate was Asian Shaved Iced. Asian Shaved Ice is a dessert that has crushed ice, condensed milk, sweet paste and beans, some of which look like soft jelly beans but taste nothing like jell beans ;o). I fell asleep near the pool and was awakened by the excitement of another crab running across the deck. This one was not so big, but still I think I’m going to be on the look-out for “THE CRABS!”
Last Sunday, I hung out again with Catrina at Gun Beach. We met up with a few
mutual friends of Catrina who are on duty in Guam with the US Airforce. It was so HOT I thought Satan just might show up with a lawn chair. I absolutely will not go to the beach before 4pm again. TOO MUCH heat even for a Floridian. Sunday night, I got a surprise visit from Lee, another law student from John Marshall. He is my next door neighbor and will be working at the Public Defender’s Office this summer.
Well it is after 9pm here in Guam on Wednesday evening. These days I can’t keep my eyes open past 10pm. Tomorrow is my Friday since I’ve arranged a schedule to work only Mon-Thurs. Tootles for now!
The primetime case that I have experienced thus far involves 10 different defendant cops, who will be represented by 9 different attorneys. The cops have been accused of unlawful beatings of up to 20 different victims. I suspect the case will have strong racial tension because all of the cops were from one village, while all of the victims were from another lower-class village. The case has so many parties and witnesses that most of the proceedings will have to occur in rental facilities outside of the Guam Judiciary. The Guam Judiciary does not have a facility large enough to hold the case. I thought the judge was joking when he said the jury selection process may occur in a tent outside of the court house to save trial costs. Apparently a pool of 500 jurors will be needed to select the 2 dozen jury members that will be needed.
On to FUN STUFF…on last Friday night a few of the other interns and I hung out at a local tavern. The tavern had a live band and to our surprise one of the band members was a current Superior Court Judge Perez. It was funny to see the judge on the bench in robe by day and rocking out on the guitar by night.
On my way back from the tavern I saw what looked like the biggest
crab hiking across the road. I had one virgin drink at the tavern so I know I was pretty coherent. The next day I told a local what I saw and he mentioned it must have been a coconut crab. I got to see a coconut crab up close at the Chamorro Village. One of the locals had it as a pet. I understand you can eat coconut crabs and most times people eat them before they grow to their largest size. Chamorro Village, which is named after the local Chamarros, is open every Wednesday and is an outdoor market place with lots of local food and festivities.On last Saturday, Catrina, Cindy and I hung out at a local beach resort. Catrina moved to Guam almost 10 months ago and is working for a local law firm. Catrina went to law school at UF, with an old high school classmate of mine and we connected by way of Facebook. Catrina has b
een the BEST TOUR GUIDE EVER! Cindy is a friend of Catrina’s who is here in Guam on assignment with the IRS. Cindy treated us to tons of perks at the Fiesta Beach Resort. We ate from one of the biggest buffets I’ve ever seen, watched a few local dancers and chatted like old girlfriends while we watched the sunset on the beach. The most interesting thing I ate was Asian Shaved Iced. Asian Shaved Ice is a dessert that has crushed ice, condensed milk, sweet paste and beans, some of which look like soft jelly beans but taste nothing like jell beans ;o). I fell asleep near the pool and was awakened by the excitement of another crab running across the deck. This one was not so big, but still I think I’m going to be on the look-out for “THE CRABS!”Last Sunday, I hung out again with Catrina at Gun Beach. We met up with a few
mutual friends of Catrina who are on duty in Guam with the US Airforce. It was so HOT I thought Satan just might show up with a lawn chair. I absolutely will not go to the beach before 4pm again. TOO MUCH heat even for a Floridian. Sunday night, I got a surprise visit from Lee, another law student from John Marshall. He is my next door neighbor and will be working at the Public Defender’s Office this summer.Well it is after 9pm here in Guam on Wednesday evening. These days I can’t keep my eyes open past 10pm. Tomorrow is my Friday since I’ve arranged a schedule to work only Mon-Thurs. Tootles for now!
Hi, this is Antonio. I thinks its awesome that you get to travel like that. I am so jealous. Anyway, I wish you well and hope you make it back safely.
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