Tip for attorney-client jail visits: try to stay on each other's good side

My new county jail has face-to-face attorney visiting, a great improvement over my previous venue. Back in Twin, defense lawyers and bondsmen got along for years with the relative luxury of a wire grid to talk through, and a narrow pass-through, lockable and unlockable by a deputy, for sliding discovery or pleadings to sign to the client. There was a big window behind your client through which jailers, inmates, and whoever else was on the floor could watch you, but otherwise you could conduct your attorney-client affairs in relatively hushed and confidential tones. Then a big contraband scare rolled through, and we were reduced to a sheet of plexiglass and one of those small slotted portholes to talk through. At times you had to put your mouth right up to the damned thing, or everybody next door in public visiting could eavesdrop if you weren't careful. It got tiresome.

My experience has been that building rapport with a jailed client goes much smoother if the two of us can actually sit down and have the semblance of a normal conversation. However, I'm a "big, husky" p.d. In at least one county in Wyoming, the p.d.'s are thinking that when it comes to some belligerent clients, good fences make good neighbors.