EOC WEEK 7

The 1990 movie “Pacific Heights” starring (Melanie Griffith)as Patty Palmer, (Matthew Modine) as Drake Goodman, and (Micheal Keaton) as Carter Hayes is a great example of what can go wrong if you don’t cover your butt as a Landlord. Melanie Griffith and Matthew Modine play a young couple who see their purchase of a San Francisco Victorian triplex in upscale Pacific Heights as an opportunity to invest in their future, as well as create a home. Micheal Keaton plays a tenant from hell taking advantage of California’s lenient laws towards tenants. I use the word tenant loosely, because he never really pays the proper considerations to occupy the space; nor signed a lease. Drake being in a rush due to a colossal mortgage, and feeling a good judge of character takes Carters’ word at face value, avoiding the necessary steps in verifying Carters’ credentials. Right from the start red flags where shown indicating that there was more to Carter than he let on. Using deception and manipulation to gain access to the unit, once inside the unit Carters’ real motives start to un-fold, using tactics of noise pollution and breeding cockroaches to infest the other tenants unit is only a glimpse. Another rushed decision by Drake put Carter in a position of power, establishing history depicting the landlords as the slum lords. Drake and Patty stressed by the unwanted tenant, struggle with what to do, as their relationship feels the effects.
If your find yourself in a similar situation purchasing a rental property, I suggest you watch this movie not to scare you from the thought of owning real property, but on what no to do in selecting a tenant. There is a reason why certain steps are taking in processing a tenant’s application for rental, especially someone you don’t know, or even someone you might know.

Morse vs. Frederick

EOC WEEK 5
This is one of those times I’m going to have to agree with the Courts decision. Although, I wouldn’t have been offended by the banner displayed by Frederick, it was done in poor taste, and definitely at the wrong venue. I feel as though he truly believed he had the right to display his sign, but why at this event, and what was his motivation? Did he see himself as making a major blow for the Legalization of Marijuana? Nonetheless, he received what he had coming his way.
The sign that was displayed by Frederick was meant to get attention and show his views on the issue, I wonder if a High School is the best place to do this. I support freedom of speech, but there is times where some things just aren’t appropriate, this is call morals. He was asked to take the banner down and refused to comply that sounds like a suspension a me. I think Frederick had an obscure understanding of the first amendment and truly felt he was going to make his contribution. The 1st. Amendment reads as follows: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances”. However; if he was truly committed in his beliefs he wouldn’t have went across the street to do it. This tells me he knew he shouldn’t of use a school as his stage.
I find it funny that it became such a deal, Frederick a student told by a Principal to remove disruptive material for a school sanctioned event. “A minor on the schools watch cased closed”.

What I Think about Today's Justice System

Today’s justice system has come a long way, but still has a long way to go. Most people don’t know that Crimes violate statutes, while Torts are against ones person, property, or reputation. Crimes fall into three groups: Treason, Felonies, and Misdemeanors. Torts are usually considered civil matters because they are things done against anothers person. I have personally experienced both sides of the spectrum, so my views might be one sided. However; this is about how I feel about justice system. I can sum it up in one word “corrupt”. In my opinion anything that is controlled by man can be manipulated and tipped to work in another’s favor. Meaning you or I can wield things in our favor if we know all the rules to the game, and if not; give them a real run for the money. The one with the most knowledge usually finds all the loop holes, because they know where to look.
Legislator passes laws all the time right under the general public noses, then "bam" a new law of the land needs to be enforced, and if you don’t comply off to the house of justice to answer for your crimes, oddly enough us as civilians have the power to change this, but usually find it to tedious to be part of the law making process, and trust the Politian’s we’ve elected to represent us. I suggest we as Americans start taking a closer look at what our elected officials and doing, and make sure there doing it on our behalf. Justice is a balancing act, and what makes sense in the past might not hold true today, I view the Justice system as machine that needs to be maintained and tuned up from time to time. So a fundamental knowledge would be a good skill to acquire.

What I Think of Lawyers

When I think of lawyers, I think well educated gangsters; until I need one. Most people are not well versed in the do’s and don’ts of law. To me; this is where this criminal is validated and accepted in our society. I use the terms gangster and criminal loosely, but this is not the case for all lawyers. Now you have lawyers whose sole desire is to change the injustices that plague or society, these lawyers to me are true champions of the people. However; most didn’t get into the profession to help the little man, but to increase their income along with their stature. There are different forms of law and different boundaries in which these lawyers can maneuver, these being criminal, civil, business, real estate, entertainment, as well as contracts, etc….

Hopefully there will not be a day where you feel the need to be represented by a lawyer, but if you do make sure you get the best lawyer you can find within your budget. Some lawyers will work pro-bono (for free). Even then you have to watch out, making sure they are truly on your side and do not have a hidden agenda. For you never truly know what a lawyer position is until the end verdict. To me or should I say my experiences have taught me to never use, I repeat; never use a court appointed lawyer also known as a public defender. Ask yourself are they defending you or their job? Their adversary on the other end table might be the lawyer’s best friend or someone they admire and want to impress. All I’m saying is, just because they wear the title of lawyer doesn’t place them in a special class, for they are truly no different then you and I, and are affected by the world around them.