Is there a Plan B?

I have a trial next Thursday that I don't understand.

Seriously. This isn't one of those things like when you were in high school and you were all OMG I'm totally not ready for this English test, when you actually studied for 6 hours and you secretly knew you're going to ace it.

Nope. This is not like that. I can't even explain what this case is, except that it's a civil case challenging a conviction in a criminal case. Whatever.

Next Thursday, the judge is going to ask me to make an opening statement, and I'm just going to stand there with my mouth open. Know why? I don't understand my case. I'm looking at a list of potential witnesses right now, deciding who I should subpoena. But next Thursday, I will put my witnesses on the stand and have no idea what questions to ask them. Know why? Don't understand the case.

My saving grace was going to be one man: an attorney who represented my client during his criminal case. I planned to call him, knowing that he would be able to explain to me what was happening, knowing that he would testify in court as to why my client should get a new trial, and knowing that...finally...someone would tell me what this case is about. Fifteen minutes ago, I made the call.

Turns out he died last year.



UPDATE: Mobilizing Plan B. Because everyone -- except this guy -- deserves a lawyer who understands their case.