Justice….that Bitch is Blind and RICH!!!

Let me start off by saying that the reason I am dealing with our wonderful (insert sarcastic smirk here) judicial system is a story much too long for a blog post and will most likely be an amazing novel written by me in the future. Suffice it to say that the adage about going into business with friends and family is SPOT ON!

But, for now…I have been afforded (ha-ha) a unique (well maybe not so unique) opportunity to participate in our justice system.   And, let me just say that it is one fucked up process from beginning to end.  Ok, I realize, you are only getting my perspective, but I will assure you that I am presenting from a point of logic and reason.  Because, I am not capable of anything else!!!  

I live an average middle-class life.  I have saved for years and lived under my means on purpose.  That was what I was taught you did…you save for the golden years, so you don’t spend that time worrying about the basics.  And, I had a pretty good savings going.  In addition, we (the hubs and I ) have been gifted a significant inheritance in order to help us through this turmoil.

It will probably be enough to get us through our lawsuit, and start saving again, but just…  And, that is wrong.  WHY????

Because the average person can’t fight back when they are being taken advantage of.  Because if you don’t have a life savings, or can’t afford to lose it all—and who really can?—you won’t have the opportunity to fight being a victim against someone who can pay.  The cost of legally seeking recourse is damned expensive….lawyers are pricey.  But, it isn’t their fault. 

Now….(pause for effect)….. I just had every lawyer joke I have ever told or heard run through my head….followed by a resounding thought of “why isn’t it their fault, they charge that much?”

Yes, they do.  And so do a whole bunch of other professionals (e.g. doctors, accountants, decorators….etc.).  The problem is that when you pay another type of professional a huge hourly fee, they are able to get that shit done in a reasonable timeframe (you finish your appointment and the doctor says “next,” and you stop paying for his/her time).  With the law….not so much. WHY????

Because it isn’t really about who or what is right or wrong.  Nor, is it about what the law states…entirely.  It is about the process of presenting and arguing the law.  I would compare it to a chess game for checker players…on STEROIDS.  And that is because the rules for winning (the law) appear less important than the rules of the game (the practice of presenting your case). 

What I have observed and learned is that the procedures that you follow can determine the facts nearly as much as the facts.  It is like the game Simon Says…if Simon doesn’t say, go back and start again—and good luck winning.  In other words, if your attorney doesn’t present everything like the judge expects and according to all the rules (and like the English language there is an exception to almost every rule), then they need to go back and try again, and again, and again; all while the opposing team is doing the same thing again, and again, and again—and both sides are defending that.  In the meantime, SUCKER, you are paying for all that time.   And it can go on forever….this back and forth BS arguing the rules…before a judge/jury ever actually gets to hear the facts.  So, if you aren’t broke by then, you may get your day in court.

And, you might win….provided the stars align.  But, regardless…Justice, that BITCH, is doing just fine.   Doesn’t feel like justice at all.

Anyone else ever get to experience this joy????