Jul 24 2024 17:15
Local Knowledge Turned Legal: The Benefits of Representation Straight from Your Community
By Josie Mastandrea
Josie Mastandrea, a rising junior at the University of Richmond, spent the summer of 2024 shadowing Attorney Chris Fiorentino to develop a better understanding of what the life of a criminal defense lawyer looks like. The following article is one of a series documenting the insights she derived from the experience.
“Hey man! Take a look at this.”
The State Trooper nods to Chris and approaches the scene. As the State Trooper got closer to the street, the situation immediately de-escalated. The man stepped back onto the sidewalk, and the woman pulled into the spot.
“Will I see you in class on Thursday?” Chris asks the trooper.
“I’m busy this week. I’ll be there the next,” he replies.
Chris mentioned they take a Brazilian jujitsu class together every Thursday. Chris introduced me, they chatted for a bit, and into the courthouse we went.
Chris needed to file a motion to continue for one of his clients (not the one whose hearing was canceled that morning, incidentally). A motion to continue is a formal request to postpone a legal proceeding, often used when a client has a scheduling conflict or a witness is unavailable on the scheduled date. We walked to the clerk’s desk, and Chris began to fill out a form for the motion. He doesn’t get far before the clerk waves his hand at Chris, as if to say not necessary. He asked Chris what it is he needs, Chris tells him, and the clerk immediately sent us upstairs to discuss the motion with an Assistant District Attorney.