Duty Counsel

As part of the requirement before graduating at a qualified lawyer with license to practice, one of the many requirements is Duty Counsel. Unlike Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah Bar has only one type of duty, which is the Duty Counsel. We have to do 12 times duty counsel, going into the lock-up, do some interview with the accused and help to mitigate for them.

So, it's been 6 months and I've done more than I've should (sometimes i went without taking attendance), as in attendance of 12 times for Duty Counsel. But the real interview, I did 3 times only. Out of the 3 times, I did only twice in the lock up. (Please anyone, don't dispute this when I get called to the Bar). Because.....

the very first Duty Counsel that I did with my colleague, we went into the lock-up with a supervisor and another chambee as well. We went to the ladies' cell and next to it is the men's cell. As near as about 1 metre only, one accused stood at the bar, sticked his hand into his pants and started his business, with people just next to him. We freaked out but just remained calm until we got out of the cell. damn....

In and out of the court for trials and other matter, I did my Duty Counsel by doing bits of interview in the Court just before the hearing starts or just attend the Hearing and take attendance. So yea, that was about it.

Today, I went to do another round again, and i actually went to into the lock-up because my colleague need to interview some accused. So, I went in with her, haunted by the 1st experience, other than the smell. It was alright. There are people trying to slip papers with numbers of their contacts so that we can transfer message for them, but politely we decline as it's not part of our job.

That was about it. 3 to 5 more to go and i told the supervisor not to allow me to take attendance unless I do the interview with the accused. Just gotta train my guts right? :)