Post a Comment On: Internal Monologue

A bunch of Scooter Libby's supporters filed a brief on his behalf with the judge in the case, one Reggie B. Walton. Apparently, Judge Walton was not impressed with this show of support, and appended this footnote to his order allowing the submission of the brief:
It is an impressive show of public service when twelve prominent and distinguished current and former law professors of well-respected schools are able to amass their collective wisdom in the course of only several days to provide their legal expertise to the Court on behalf of a criminal defendant. The Court trusts that this is a reflection of these eminent academics' willingness in the future to step to the plate and provide like assistance in cases involving any of the numerous litigants, both in this Court and throughout the courts of our nation, who lack the financial means to fully and properly articulate the merits of their legal positions even in instances where failure to do so could result in monetary penalties, incarceration, or worse. The Court will certainly not hesitate to call for such assistance from these luminaries, as necessary in the interests of justice and equity, whenever similar questions arise in the cases that come before it.I think it's a shoo-in for the "snarkiest legal footnote of the year" award.

It seems like when a judge is deciding whether your friend can remain free on bail or not, you should do everything in your power not to piss off that judge. But why am I giving legal advice to Scooter Libby?