Hi! Come in, sit down. I’m Sally Castle and I’m one of the assistant public defenders for Fayette County. What can I help you with?
Oh, you’re not looking for legal advice. You want to know about my day? I’m not sure it’ll be as exciting as you think, but okay.
The usual day starts early, probably about 6:30. I get up, get ready for work, and grab some coffee for the road. I used to use one of those one-cup machines, but lately I’ve preferred a French press. I blame my friend Jim for that. He’s such a coffee snob; I guess it’s starting to rub off on me. I still have the one-cup machine for convenience, but I have to admit the French press tastes better. He’s also a beer snob, but give me a good glass of red wine any day.
I get to the office anywhere between 7:30 and 8:00. Now, you’re probably thinking that criminal law is flashy, a lot of time in court like those television legal dramas. Not so much. There’s a lot of paperwork in law. A lot of it. As soon as a case is assigned, I review the contents of the file: witness statements, police reports, interview transcripts, the works. Then I’ll schedule a meeting with the client. Sometimes this is in my office, sometimes it’s in the jail. I review the materials provided by the prosecution and the police, ask the client for their story, ask if they can provide any witnesses who will testify on their behalf.
After I have all the facts, I may make a recommendation to the client. Take a plea with a sentence recommendation, go to trial, or decide we need more information before we proceed. If the client agrees to a plea, I’ll negotiate with the district attorney.
As you can see, not really like the courtroom dramas, huh?
Sometimes I get to court – bail hearings, arraignments, trials, sentencing, but forget the glamour. Especially working public defense. I’m here to make sure every defendant, no matter their financial resources, gets a fair shake under the law and their rights are protected. TV portrays public defenders as “less qualified” than their private practice, or even prosecution, colleagues, but it’s not true. I work with some darn good people who are passionate about what they do.
Except Colin Rafferty. He could be a really great attorney. He’s got a streak of “get rich quick” in him, and I get the feeling he definitely saw himself in a fancy private practice when he left law school. But I’ve been mentoring him and I think he’s coming around. He’s been weird lately, now that I think of it. Something is definitely bothering him. He’s normally laid back, easy going to the point I want to shake him, but these past couple of weeks he’s distracted and. . .I don’t have a better word for it, anxious. His mother’s been sick, but she’s supposed to be in remission. I don’t think that’s it, but he won’t talk to me. Very frustrating.
Jim thinks I might be exaggerating. Who’s Jim? Oh, that’s Jim Duncan. He’s a trooper with the Pennsylvania State Police. Yeah, okay. A defense attorney who is friends with a cop? But Jim’s different, I swear. He doesn’t think my job is to get people “off,” he doesn’t think I’m out to sabotage the cops. Stop smirking! Yes, he’s not bad to look at, and he’s got the most adorable dog, but we’re friends. Fine, okay. . .sometimes I wish we were more than friends. Happy? At least I’d understand him better than his ex-wife. Talk about a harpy. Sheesh.
That’s about all. Is there anything else I can answer for you? I’m supposed to present a plea to the prosecution in half an hour. That gives me enough time to check in with Colin, make sure he’s up for our usual happy hour meeting after work. Maybe this time I’ll be able to get him to tell me what’s bugging him.
Giveaway: What’s your beverage of choice for relaxation? Leave a comment below for your chance to win copy of Root of All Evil, either Kindle/Nook (open to everyone) or signed copy (U.S. residents only), winner’s choice. The giveaway will end August 16, 2018. Good luck everyone!
You can read more about Sally in Root of All Evil, the first book in the NEW “Laurel Highlands” mystery series.
Rumors of a meth operation in rustic Fayette County catch the attention of Pennsylvania State Trooper Jim Duncan. When he learns that Aaron Trafford, a man who recently dodged a drug conviction, has returned to the county, the conclusion seems obvious. Trafford has set up a new operation.
Meanwhile, assistant public defender Sally Castle’s colleague, Colin Rafferty, has become uncharacteristically nervous and secretive. Her suspicion that he’s hiding something serious is confirmed when she learns of a threatening visitor and discovers a note on his desk stating, “You’d better fix this.”
Colin’s subsequent murder is the first frayed thread in a complex web of deceit. Jim fears Sally’s stubborn determination to get justice for her friend will put her in a killer’s crosshairs, but Sally won’t rest until she finds answers–even if it costs her everything.
Purchase Link
# # # # # # # # # # #
About the author
Liz Milliron has been making up stories, and creating her own endings for other people’s stories, for as long as she can remember. She survived growing up through reading, cutting her mystery teeth on Agatha Christie, Mary Higgins Clark and, of course, Nancy Drew. As an adult, she finds escape from the world of software documentation through creating her own fictional murder and mayhem. She lives near Pittsburgh with her husband, two teenage children, and fantasizes about owning a dog – one of these days. Connect with Liz at lizmilliron.com and on Facebook.
All comments are welcomed.
I don’t drink, but I love a good smoothie. Strawberry is probably my favorite, but any flavor will do. And Jim sounds like a keeper, even if you are just friends, Sally!
I love smoothies! My son makes triple-berry ones that are so good.
And Jim is definitely a keeper. 🙂
My drink of choice is Diet Coke…that’s what I drink when I read or watch tv.
Nothing wrong with a good Diet Coke – especially over ice on these hot summer days.
I love coffee, but when it comes to something potable I like cream sherry.
I am now the only non-coffee drinker in my house. My daughter wonders how I made it out of college without coffee. I don’t think I’ve ever tried cream sherry.
Pepsi has always been my go-to beverage of choice, but this summer I’ve gotten hooked on mocha Frappe’s or Frappuccino’s depending on where I’m at. Looking forward to reading your new series.
My mother drank Pepsi constantly (she was a nurse who worked the 11-7 shift). My son loves those Starbucks Frappucino drinks in the bottle.
I haven’t tried the bottled Frappuccino…hmmm, could keep those on hand for the mornings i don’t have time to stop! I love the ones mixed with crushed up ice and topped with whipped cream & chocolate drizzle…
Those are definitely in the “guily pleasure” category for me! But my daughter, stick that she is, loves them.
My beverage of choice for relaxation is definitely red wine. On cold mornings I prefer a cup of peppermint tea. Thanks for the giveaway – this sounds like a fascinating series!
Autumn, you and Sally would get along fabulously!
Depends on the weather, my mood, and what’s available! Coffee, tea (hot or cold), beer, wine. Any of those work.
Pat, you’d get along with me or any of my characters!
Chai tea — hot or cold depending on the season.
Amy, I love a good chai latte!
My beverage of choice all day, every day, is iced tea!
Linda, my family guzzles iced tea, especially in the summer!
Red wine, please. (Or, earlier in the day, tea.)
That is a great book cover.
Libby, you’re Sally’s kind of woman! And thanks for the compliment about the cover. The artist really outdid herself.
My favorite beverage is probably very cold white wine, preferably a Chardonnay. I’ll also drink beer, the darker, the better.
Sharon, Sally’s friend Jim approves your taste in beer!
My beverages of choice are coffee all day and water in the evening.
Peggy, I would drink tea all day, but unfortunately the caffeine overload keeps me up all night. Oh, I long for my college days when that wasn’t the case!
Prosecco whatever the season
Dee, I am embarrassed to say I don’t think I’ve ever had prosecco. Isn’t it fizzy (or am I thinking of something else)?
Coffee is my “drug of choice,” tea sometimes, and as a rare treat, ginger beer, which I learned to love in Jamaica. When in tropical spots, coconut water straight from the coconut.
Mary, I’ve never tried ginger beer, but the concept intrigues me.
Coffee most any time of the day, or iced tea if it’s a warm day.
I love a glass of iced tea on a hot day!
My beverage of choice for relaxation is a cup of hot tea with milk and sugar. Looking forward to giving Root of All Evil a try–it sounds intriguing. Thanks for the chance to win a copy.
Linda, I had a friend in college who swore by the relaxing properties of hot tea with milk.
My drink of choice for relaxation is ice tea during the day and sometimes at night a glass of wine.
Dianne, seems to be a lot of iced tea fans here!
Love tea.
First, this cover is one of my favorite of the year. And, Sally’s preference for the French press echoes other opinions I’ve heard lately. As a major coffee lover, I might have to give it a chance.
Kathy, thank you! I love the cover, too. And I’m not a coffee drinker, but I was assured by many that a French press is the way to go. 🙂
I enjoy a nice mug of hot tea.
Jana, my day is not started properly without a steaming mug of tea!
In the summer, I prefer cold brews and good old ice water.
We just bought a giant beverage dispenser that has an infuser you can put fruits in to infuse water. Once our sun room is complete, we plan to keep it filled so we can enjoy throughout the day.
During the summer I love a glass of good lemonade. Dr. Pepper is my go to caffeine during the day. I prefer to start my day with a chai latte.
I am intrigued by your book as it is from the defense POV.
Tricia, I tried a frozen Agave Lemonade from Panera recently and it was soo good! And I adore chai lattes, but I have to make them a “treat” (if I drank one every day I’d have to go to the gym more, and, um, yeah).
I use a dual POV, so the book is about half from Sally’s perspective. The other half is Jim’s.
**** WINNERS ****
Root of All Evil are Storyteller Mary, Jana Leah
Congratulations!