Today, I cut a weekend beach trip short to come to Macon to attend a one-day meeting and seminar for a group of Georgia DUI lawyers. My family returned home later, but I traveled up I–16 to a farm in Macon. Instead of the typical hotel ballroom environment, we met at a farm cabin on some […]
00J. Scott Key/wp-content/uploads/SK-Logo-Black-White.pngJ. Scott Key2017-10-22 22:32:082017-10-22 22:32:08Rickman Offers Insight into How Young Appellate Judges Read Briefs and Motions
A few days ago, I was preparing for cross-examination. The event never happened because the hearing was terminated on a technical point before the other side could put on any witnesses. But court preparation is never a waste. All the research you do for it keeps until later. Here are a few things I learned […]
00J. Scott Key/wp-content/uploads/SK-Logo-Black-White.pngJ. Scott Key2017-10-21 19:37:022017-10-21 19:37:02Building a Cross Around Refreshing Recollection
Last night, I attended the Griffin Historical Society’s “Drink in History” event at the old Griffin Jail, featuring the fine products of the Jailhouse Brewery. I had spent my entire afternoon at the new Spalding County Courthouse, and this event was in a building that was once the old Spalding County Courthouse, from approximately 1860 unit […]
There has been much talk in the media about Olevik v. State. My algebra teacher long ago would make me “show my work” on tests and sometimes at the chalkboard. I’ve linked to the opinion where you can see where the Supreme Court has shown its work in 49 pages of legal writing. But I’ll […]
00J. Scott Key/wp-content/uploads/SK-Logo-Black-White.pngJ. Scott Key2017-10-18 11:03:512017-10-18 11:03:51A Quick Explanation of the Holding in the New SCOG DUI Case
I cut my teeth in law school on Terrance McCarthy’s cross-examination methods. During my 2L year, I recall preparing for a national mock trial competition. During our first practice of the year, our coach popped in a cassette (yes, a cassette.It was the year 2000) of Terry giving a talk in Las Vegas to a […]
00J. Scott Key/wp-content/uploads/SK-Logo-Black-White.pngJ. Scott Key2017-10-17 11:26:362017-10-17 11:26:36For Great Cross-Examination, Forget You Ever Knew Matlock, Perry Mason, or Jack McCoy
At the beginning of the summer, I signed up for a marathon in Chattanooga. And I spent most of June through August training for it. At about the halfway point in my training (mid-August), school started back. Then I had a fairly slammed schedule of deadlines and work-related things. As a result, I began missing […]
Yesterday was Friday afternoon, but I needed to see an inmate to let him know when he would go before a judge on bond. Some work around the office pushed that visit into the afternoon. And when I finally arrived at the jail, the entire facility was on lockdown. Lockdowns are not unusual. And when […]
Let me tell you about my latest obsession: the British legal system. I came upon this topic by accident. Two weeks ago, I had a two-day hearing in Barrow County, Georgia, with some colleagues. For those of you who do not know much about Georgia geography, Winder is not near my office. And to get […]
00J. Scott Key/wp-content/uploads/SK-Logo-Black-White.pngJ. Scott Key2017-10-13 06:18:292017-10-13 06:18:29America Should Adopt the British Solicitor/Barrister Model
Irma has been an adventure. It was an adventure that started last Friday when I drove down to Mitchell County, Georgia (about as far Southwest as you can go in the state and not be in Florida or Alabama). I drove down to see a habeas client for final preparations for what would have been […]
00J. Scott Key/wp-content/uploads/SK-Logo-Black-White.pngJ. Scott Key2017-09-12 15:54:402017-09-12 15:54:40Is Court Canceled or Not? There is no System to Know
Our office is structurally fine, but our power is out. It also appears that our phones are out. If you are trying to to reach us today, please email me at skey@millerandkeylaw.com. I am checking email frequently there. Work has not stopped though. I have sought out the friendly dry environs of a coffee shop […]
Rickman Offers Insight into How Young Appellate Judges Read Briefs and Motions
/by J. Scott KeyToday, I cut a weekend beach trip short to come to Macon to attend a one-day meeting and seminar for a group of Georgia DUI lawyers. My family returned home later, but I traveled up I–16 to a farm in Macon. Instead of the typical hotel ballroom environment, we met at a farm cabin on some […]
Building a Cross Around Refreshing Recollection
/by J. Scott KeyA few days ago, I was preparing for cross-examination. The event never happened because the hearing was terminated on a technical point before the other side could put on any witnesses. But court preparation is never a waste. All the research you do for it keeps until later. Here are a few things I learned […]
All Jail Visits Should Be Like This
/by J. Scott KeyLast night, I attended the Griffin Historical Society’s “Drink in History” event at the old Griffin Jail, featuring the fine products of the Jailhouse Brewery. I had spent my entire afternoon at the new Spalding County Courthouse, and this event was in a building that was once the old Spalding County Courthouse, from approximately 1860 unit […]
A Quick Explanation of the Holding in the New SCOG DUI Case
/by J. Scott KeyThere has been much talk in the media about Olevik v. State. My algebra teacher long ago would make me “show my work” on tests and sometimes at the chalkboard. I’ve linked to the opinion where you can see where the Supreme Court has shown its work in 49 pages of legal writing. But I’ll […]
For Great Cross-Examination, Forget You Ever Knew Matlock, Perry Mason, or Jack McCoy
/by J. Scott KeyI cut my teeth in law school on Terrance McCarthy’s cross-examination methods. During my 2L year, I recall preparing for a national mock trial competition. During our first practice of the year, our coach popped in a cassette (yes, a cassette.It was the year 2000) of Terry giving a talk in Las Vegas to a […]
The Weekend Perfection Wasn’t an Obstacle
/by J. Scott KeyAt the beginning of the summer, I signed up for a marathon in Chattanooga. And I spent most of June through August training for it. At about the halfway point in my training (mid-August), school started back. Then I had a fairly slammed schedule of deadlines and work-related things. As a result, I began missing […]
The Hardest Part About Being in Jail
/by J. Scott KeyYesterday was Friday afternoon, but I needed to see an inmate to let him know when he would go before a judge on bond. Some work around the office pushed that visit into the afternoon. And when I finally arrived at the jail, the entire facility was on lockdown. Lockdowns are not unusual. And when […]
America Should Adopt the British Solicitor/Barrister Model
/by J. Scott KeyLet me tell you about my latest obsession: the British legal system. I came upon this topic by accident. Two weeks ago, I had a two-day hearing in Barrow County, Georgia, with some colleagues. For those of you who do not know much about Georgia geography, Winder is not near my office. And to get […]
Is Court Canceled or Not? There is no System to Know
/by J. Scott KeyIrma has been an adventure. It was an adventure that started last Friday when I drove down to Mitchell County, Georgia (about as far Southwest as you can go in the state and not be in Florida or Alabama). I drove down to see a habeas client for final preparations for what would have been […]
Irma Update
/by J. Scott KeyOur office is structurally fine, but our power is out. It also appears that our phones are out. If you are trying to to reach us today, please email me at skey@millerandkeylaw.com. I am checking email frequently there. Work has not stopped though. I have sought out the friendly dry environs of a coffee shop […]