Don’t try to swim alone; hire a shark with a briefcase

Ijust got an e-mail from someone I never heard of advising me that I have enough satin to make a stole. I wonder if that’s some kind of code. Computers remain a great mystery to me. While we ponder that let us also discuss today’s question:

I read that the guy who started the border vigilante group was convicted of three counts of molesting children. He served as his own lawyer. What is the success rate of people who represent themselves in court?

Let’s get the facts straight first. Chris Simcox was found guilty of two counts of child molestation and one count of providing obscene material to a minor. He also was acquitted on three of other related charges.

Simcox acted pro se, which is Latin legalese for “on behalf of themselves.”

Serving as your own lawyer seems to be used most often in divorce cases or fairly minor charges. In small claims courts in Arizona you can only have a lawyer if both sides agree to it in writing.

I didn’t have much luck finding any definite answer to this question.

In 2006, the Louisiana Court of Appeals found that 7 percent in pro se civil appeals were granted compared to 46 percent in cases where an attorney was used.

A 2015 study of pro se cases involving federal felonies found that 16.9 percent ended in dismissal and just .08 percent ended in acquittal. The others ended with a finding of guilty or a guilty plea being entered.

It’s up to you, but I’d say you’re better off getting a lawyer.

And now I guess I should get busy on that satin stole.