Isabella Belfiore '26
I held my breath. It has just hit me that in the next second I will be finding out if my career will be coming to an end.
“Please rise for the verdict," Judge Martin said.
He carried such an enigmatic manner which made my muscles even more tense than they were before. I searched his features to see if the look on his face could give me a heads up on the information I would be receiving in less than a minute, but he gave me nothing. Considering I am a defense attorney I typically am able to read people pretty well; however, Judge Martin wasn’t making it very easy for me.
Unlike most lawyers, I didn’t enter this profession with biased opinions and money in the corner of my eye. I truly always wanted to be an advocate for those who can’t defend themselves. However, if this case goes anything like my previous one, I might as well never show my face in the office again. I let my firm, my partners, my clients and most of all myself down and I couldn’t let this happen again. I had to win this case.
This wasn’t just any other case. I was defending Harry Dawson, the accused murderer of the mayor's daughter, Laura Jenkins. Many questioned why I would take up such a controversial case. However, in the depths of my heart I truly believe Dawson is innocent. This is why I am in this profession, to defend those who can’t vouch for themselves.
My rival, District attorney Henry Gilbert is defending the victim, Laura Jenkins. I hate to say it, but Henry Gilbert is a great attorney and is extremely difficult to beat in a case. He has beat me in a previous case and I haven't heard the end of it.
I slowly rose from my chair, my legs shaking like a leaf. Months of preparation and devotion put into this case all came down to this moment.
Judge Martin continued, “In the case of Dawson v. Jenkins, I declare the defendant…”
“Guilty.”
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