Mimi Coffey | Attorney at Law

Marijuana alone never killed anyone, unlike alcohol or an excess of sugar consumption over a lifetime (diabetes, etc.). Most people reading this blog could care less about legalizing marijuana because they can't understand how it affects them. Oh, but it does. It is rather simple. 1. Taxes. It costs approximately $45k a year to house an inmate in Texas (juvenile costs are far higher).  The amount of money Texas taxpayers pay for prisons and jails is staggering.  People can't seem to understand this is real.  I have a client who has a pending marijuana case in Johnson County. It is a felony because it is not in leaf format- the marijuana concentration is in a few gummy bears. The assistant district attorney has offered a ten year probation sentence which includes a prison rehab (called SAFP) for 6 months to a year.  Ludicrous.  Why send my food delivery guy into a school for hardened criminals where he will come out far worse than when he went in?  News...

My 2nd year of law school at Texas Tech (I had 2 children during law school, this is Kiki my first) I think about my third son Spencer all the time as he just started his first year at Cornell Law School. This week, I came up with this list for him. These are the things I would go back and tell my young, full of wonder self  27 years ago. Maybe this can help other young law students or aspiring lawyers. 10 Things I would go back & tell my law school self: Focus on writing. It’s how the top lawyers in their field help other lawyers and share their knowledge en masse with the world. Publishing is essential. Give back. Look around and remember how your fellow students are struggling and need financial aid. Make it a goal to give back. It’s a worthy endeavor that I wish more lawyers would do. Show gratitude. Appreciate your professors. They have sacrificed an exciting life in the ring to teach. This is huge. Be kind. As you look around and feel the surging blood...