← The Code To Winning
The Code To Winning
REDEMPTION THROUGH LAW: THE VETERAN FIGHTING FOR SECOND CHANCES || DANIELLE SKRANAK || EPISODE 063
00:45:00
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- [00:00]
A
I help convicted felons restore their civil liberties and those liberties include the ability to vote, to run for office and to have firearms. Those are the three major things that people lose once they become a convicted felon. Unfortunately in 2022 Arizona made this new law where if you are a one time felony conviction then you can have your rights automatically restored. Doesn't include your gun rights. So you'll still have to petition for that separately. But if you just have one, you can get them back. If you have more than one, you still have to petition through the state to get it back. And they'll look your record, see if you've committed any more felonies, if you've been a positive influence in your community to see if they will approve your application.
- [00:39]
B
When you say you help restore convicted felons rights, does it matter what crime they committed?
- [00:44]
A
It does.
- [00:44]
B
Okay, can you, can you kind of elaborate on that?
- [00:46]
A
There's a different classes of felonies. You have like your kind of like classless felonies. People who have got a DUI or they've done something kind of off the wall that landed them a conviction. There's also dangerous ones which is those who usually it involves another weapon and those ones are very much more stringent on who can get their application approved with those. Because normally if your firearm rights restored and you committed a felony with a weapon for it is not going to be as lenient as they would be with a DUI.
- [01:14]
B
Listen Danielle, I need to vote for the 48th president, whoever that may be like. I want to be able to get my voice heard. What's the steps and procedure that you would take? What's the first thing we're going to go through the code to winning insights you need today to seize the world tomorrow. This again a very unique interview. Have an amazing guest in the studio with us. We are still in the amazing state of Arizona, the 48th state. We're going to have an expert criminal law paralegal. The company that she has started and founded as well veteran founded Justin driven committed to restoring your rights with honor and precision. Our amazing guests. I want to make sure I like you know these Czech, Scandinavian last name. It's going to be Danielle Skranek in the studio. Welcome. Thank you very much.
- [02:05]
A
Hi, nice to meet you. Thank you so much for having me.
- [02:08]
B
Awesome stuff. I was like I said I'm very fascinated to learn I love legal aspect of things. It's also very important that people get to understand what are their rights because for the most part people don't even understand like what they can do, what, what they're entitled to, knowing what they're entitled to, like, you know, the right to having as well. So can you give us a brief overview of exactly like what you do and what your firm or company stands for?
- [02:32]
A
Yeah, absolutely. So I help convicted felons restore their civil liberties and those liberties include the ability to vote, to run for office and to have firearms. Those are the three major things that people lose once they become a convicted felon, unfortunately.
- [02:47]
B
Okay, and then why would, what's the difference? Why would they not go to an attorney? What is it that you guys do that's a little bit more unique and different?
- [02:57]
A
Well, you're always welcome to consult an attorney, but it's just really unnecessary. This is such a cut and dry situation that you can have a paralegal or a licensed document preparer, which I'm both, help you fill up the paperwork and restore your rights at a much more affordable cost.
- [03:13]
B
And I notice as well, I think we spoke about it earlier on, usually like in swing states, depending on where things were, there were cases where many people were not allowed. I thought as, as a citizen, not a green car, as an actual citizen, I was under the impression that every single person is entitled to vote. So if you have at a felony, you can't vote at all?
- [03:33]
A
Correct. It's as the day you're convicted. It is. It has gone away. Yeah.
- [03:37]
B
Can it be restored or how does that work?
- [03:38]
A
Yeah, it can absolutely be restored. So in 2022, Arizona made this new law where if you are a one time felony conviction, then you can have your rights automatically restored. Doesn't include your gun rights. So stop to petition for that separately. But if you just have one, you can get them back. If you have more than one, you still have to petition through the state to get it back and they'll look at your record, see if you've committed any more felonies, if you've been a positive influence in your community to see if they will approve your application and.
- [04:09]
B
Then how many cases. So I mean obviously very nuanced, but how many cases are. Is a case by case situation. They look into certain stuff. Right? What, what's taken into consideration regarding that?
- [04:20]
A
Just if you've been employed, if you've started a family, if you've just not. It just. They just want me. Want to make sure that you're not going to reoffend. That's their biggest concern is they don't want to take it away again. And then you have to Apply. You know, they don't want the back and forth. They really want to restore their rights for individuals who went to prison, serve their time, paid their restitution, and have since lived a better life.
- [04:40]
B
But does it also matter which? When you say you help restore convicted felons rights, does it matter what crime they committed?
- [04:50]
A
It does.
- [04:50]
B
Okay, can you, can you kind of elaborate on that?
- [04:52]
A
There's a different classes of felonies. You have like your kind of like classless felonies. People who have, I don't know, got a DUI or they've done something kind of off the wall that landed them a conviction. There's also dangerous ones, which is those who usually it involves another weapon and those ones are very much more stringent on who can get their application approved with those. Because normally if you're applying to have your weapons restored, your, excuse me, your firearm rights restored, and you committed a felony with a weapon, the court is not going to be as lenient as they would be with a dui. And in most cases it's kind of a, a solid no. Across the board. There's a list of them. Like if you committed murder, if you raped a child, if you know, you did a drive by shooting, those ones are usually ones where they say no. And that's understandable, right?
- [05:39]
B
100. Yeah, 100. And so the whole DUI thing, the reason why, I mean, I don't drink alcohol at all, but at the same time I feel like crimes are different. So it's hard to really judge somebody who perhaps took a few sips, a few ounces of alcohol driving down like the 48th day, you know, and then somebody that murdered or killed a family or killed somebody. So. But the fact that felon is a felon, you know what I'm saying? So that's. So how do you walk somebody through the process? So let's say now I have done that. Like I was caught. I drove down from Phoenix to Mesa or whatever it may be and I got caught and now I have a dui. Do you serve jail for that? Sometimes, Depending on the situation.
- [06:24]
A
Yeah, it depends on the situation. We're a zero tolerance state. We are one of the worst states in the country when it comes to DUIs. So we're much harsher on our penalties here. For sure. So it's a possibility. I know dozens of people who have a dui where was an aggravated dui and they did serve time. They also had to pay thousands of dollars for a lawyer and had to pay thousands of dollars for court fees. And tend to mad classes. Mothers Against Destructive Driving. Those are kind of mandatory in our state now too, for, I think almost every dui. But yeah, so it's. We're just a little bit harsher here in Arizona, unfortunately.
- [07:00]
B
That's crazy. I mean, like I said, I don't drink, obviously because of my beliefs and all that. But as I say, for somebody to go and serve time, I guess they have the perception trying like, avoid people from doing so by having such harsher repercussions and like consequences regarding that as well. However, to serve time, like, it's the same thing with the whole thing. I had personally, my beliefs with the whole people that were, I don't know, distributing and selling like marijuana, getting like a 10 year jail, prison. I'm like, what about those actually? What about that? If in Arizona, if you're selling marijuana, can you get off from that? Is that a little bit more different?
- [07:34]
A
Yeah, well, I can't give you legal advice, but I can definitely tell you at my time at the U.S. attorney's office, it's not something what we normally prosecute for marijuana. That's more of a state side.
- [07:43]
B
Okay.
- [07:44]
A
But. So I don't really know. I know that we do offer marijuana expungements in the state. So if you're previously convicted of an offense with that involved marijuana, you can have that expunged from your record, which is fantastic now that we've legalized it here in our state. But I don't know if you'd serve time for it or not.
- [07:59]
B
Okay, then, um, again, I got caught. So now I, I can't vote. I can't bear arms. I, I'm, I'm just a citizen, but I can't even run. Obviously you can't run for public office if you can't vote. So now I'm coming into your office right now and I'm like, listen, Danielle, I need to vote for the 48th president, whoever that may be. Like, I wanna be able to get my voice heard. What's the steps and procedure that you would take? What's the first thing we're gonna go through?
- [08:27]
A
Yeah, I wanna look to see what your conviction would be first and foremost. Like I said, there is a list of felonies that they just will not. They will just will not allow it. And that, again, makes sense. We were talking about the heinous crimes just to see if you're eligible. If you're eligible, then we'll kind of go through. You know, what are your goals? Is your goal. Do you want just your Civil rights restored, which is the voting and running for office. Do you want to have your firearms restored? And then again, we'll look at the list to make sure you're not in that. Those classes that dangerous or serious offenses. And then I just help you prepare the packet. There's a packet that's standardized across the system, state. And there it's kind of like a checkbox situation where it's just like, you know, have you reoffended since then? Do you have a job? Where do you live? And what, you know, are you an upstanding citizen? Is basically what you want to kind of display to the judge. Because once you submit your packet, it will go before a judge or a prosecutor. I believe it's a judge. Yes. And they will look to see if you're going to. If you're likely to reoffend or not.
- [09:26]
B
But then. So it's not like a thing where, I just got a DUI yesterday, I got out of prison. It's one of those things where you'd recommend they probably go get a job, find something to do, at least fill out like a 1099 or W2 tax form, like, be an upholding citizen. Because. And I think just naturally, by seeing that, even regardless of your job or not, you can see there's a trajectory that someone seems to be following and they're trying to uphold and be in good standing with their community as well.
- [09:52]
A
Exactly. Yeah. And there's a waiting period, too. If you want to apply for your firearm rights, you have to wait at least two years from the date of your absolute discharge, which is either your last day in prison or your last day of probation. So, yeah, there's a waiting period for it, for sure. And it works out great because in those two years, you should be able to show that you've excelled better in life since your. Your imprisonment.
- [10:12]
B
I love that. I. My perception of paralegal. I don't know. I'm a big fan of suits. I just thought it was.
- [10:18]
A
Yes. I always get called Meghan Markle. I'd love to be the Prince of England one day. Yes.
- [10:26]
B
So that was. That was my perception of that. And then Dakota broke it down. I'm like, well, that's. That's very interesting, because I feel like people deserve to know what their rights are, because I feel like, what's the point of being a citizen if you aren't exercising your rights to be a citizen? You know what I'm saying? And I think it's important everyone has their voices heard to actually add to the community, because you're being led by people, and you have the right to vote who you want to be led by. You. So what made you start this?
- [10:54]
A
Oh, man. Really? You know, I grew up in such an unconventional household. My mom remarried, and so I'm growing up in this biracial family. My stepfather, he got a dui, and it was a felony dui, unfortunately. And it completely changed our world. You could see just how difficult it makes an American to be able to fulfill his role as a father and to be able to put food on the table. It was harder for him to get a job. People didn't want to rent houses to us, so just made it extremely more difficult. And he did four months in prison, and when he got out, he was a better person. He didn't drink anymore, and he really changed his life around. But yet we were still, you know, struggling really hard. And I felt like it shouldn't be a lifetime sentence, essentially, to be a felon. And so eventually I was able to get him his gun rights back and his civil liberties restored and has. Significantly better. Significantly better. It's wild how much we put the stigma on individuals who have a past conviction. I used to be also a military police officer at the infamous Fort Lenworth prison. And one of the biggest things that we were told in our training is that it's not our responsibility to uphold their punishment. They're already punished by being in prison. And. And so we shouldn't be negative or, again, have that stigma or be biased towards them because they're felons.
- [12:19]
B
So, you know, it's. It's interesting. I recently. One of my best friends is from Australia, and we. There was an episode that was released right now, one of. Because he had two immigration attorneys. What happened is that his paperwork. It's. It's a little different, obviously. But I'm going to talk about the, like, the experience that he faced.
- [12:39]
A
He.
- [12:41]
B
There was something that was not renewed on time, and he was given misinformation. But, like, to cut the long story short, because you overstayed, like, a certain time with your visa.
- [12:50]
A
Yeah.
- [12:51]
B
With the whole ICE thing that ended up occurring. Which is understandable because at the end of the day, it's the laws. You do understand that, however, he was, like, in a detention facility just recently in. In Nevada for, like, two, three weeks.
- [13:03]
A
Oh, wow.
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B
And he was beyond, like, traumatized because you have this guy just attending, like, obviously, a Christian university. Which we attended.
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A
Yeah.
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B
Just getting all this exposure in these detention facilities and, like, just coming out of that, like, He's. You could see the trauma that is being faced. Why I'm talking and mentioning that story is the fact that obviously felons and people that are convicted, depending on whatever the crime may be, you're still in a facility that can end up, like, bringing, like, emotional damage, whether you're inside there as well.
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A
Yeah.
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B
And then the last thing you want is coming out and then figuring out, hey, listen, you. This is like a damping, like, image on your record. You pretty much doomed because first of all, getting a job when you have a felon felony or whatever it may be, it's. It's hard enough, but now trying to, like, not even get your voices heard. I wonder why that even started, you know, the historical context behind why that happened.
- [13:54]
A
You know, I don't. I wish I did. That's. That's such a great question. But, yeah, you know, it is extremely debilitating to leave prison and. And one, to have to start your life all over, especially. I mean, two or three weeks is a long period of time. But even for the individuals who've been there for months or years, they have to readjust. There's. There's certain things that they're going to have to get back. They're going to have to find a place to live and a job. And like you said, it's really hard to find a job when you have a felony. And. Yeah, so that's one of my goals is really. And I've seen it in my practice already, is when I. Once I restore these civil liberties, I do see a sense of hope in their eye again. And that's kind of the main goal here is, again, we're not trying to. I don't think our judicial system should be punishing you for the rest of your life. I will do the best I can to help you get these rights restored, and hopefully you're able to get to that next step that you need to go to make your life more successful.
- [14:45]
B
And I know that you. We did stress a lot on the dui. What other ones in your practice have you guys helped people, like, get their rights restored? If you don't mind sharing.
- [14:55]
A
Yeah, I've. I've done manslaughter before, vehicular manslaughter. And I've done so. Vehicular manslaughter. This. This man in particular, he unfortunately went hunting. It's about 1998, he went hunting up in Flagstaff. Him and his buddy, his best friend, actually, they went to a bar in Flagstaff before they got to their hunting post. And they were driving back from Flagstaff to the hunting post, and he. Unfortunately, the driver took too harsh of a turn, landed in a tree, and it instantly killed his best friend. Yeah. Spent eight years in prison, but I was able to get him his civil rights and his gun rights back. So now he can go hunting with his son.
- [15:39]
B
And he see, it's already. Stuff like that. That's what I was talking about. Like, no way did he have any intention to try and kill his friend.
- [15:45]
A
No.
- [15:46]
B
And so I'm glad you explained that, because sometimes we hear the term manslaughter. Sorry, continue.
- [15:50]
A
Yeah, no, no, and I was just gonna say, in fact, the family was totally against the process. Prosecution knew that it was a mistake on his part, that he never would have actually intentionally killed their son. And so, yeah, that story still gives me chills. But, yeah, I mean, it's. It's a mistake. And I do agree that the heinous crimes that we talked about, they should not have their rights restored. Killing people intentionally is. Is obviously very gruesome and horrible, but for the individuals who have this DUI or. Or have the vehicular manslaughter charges, I just. I feel so deeply for them because it was a mistake when they were super young, and. And I know that they did not intentionally mean to do that.
- [16:27]
B
And of course, like. And that's what I was kind of, like, referring to as, well, earlier on, is the fact that. Can you imagine the traumatic experience that he already faced, like one of your best friends, and you are responsible for this as a driver? It was not intended. And then, like, it's already, like, it's going to be a depressing state. It's going to be a place where they're going to be just feeling that emotional distress, you know, And I think that's in. That's. That's a little crazy. And then what's the process? How long is it for them to get, like, when it starts?
- [16:55]
A
Well, the court system is always very long. It's really up to them. I would say just estimate between 90 to 120 days is usually the rough period of time.
- [17:04]
B
That's better than saying that forever, right?
- [17:08]
A
Right. Yeah. Because a lot of people don't realize, too, that this is something that they can do. That's one of my biggest goals, too, is education, is getting felons to understand that this is something that they can do. I often talk to felons through the community and especially when I work at the U.S. attorney's, and they had no idea that this was possible.
- [17:23]
B
For them. So that's, that's going to be my next question. Do you work with law firms, attorney's office, on stuff like that in terms of outsourcing? Because I think. And sometimes in cases like law firms, I've noticed they can end up like, delegating other cases that they don't want to take and stuff like that. Is that very common in your, in your.
- [17:44]
A
Well, I just opened. It is my goal, but I just opened, so not yet.
- [17:49]
B
That's exciting.
- [17:50]
A
Yeah, yeah. I, because I agree there's. Lawyers really view this as paralegal work, which is great because it definitely is. You don't, you don't necessarily need a lawyer to help you through this. This is very much just paper pushing and getting you to fill out all the forms correctly. Because that's one of the biggest mistakes, too, that felons have is they don't fill out all the paperwork and they don't do it correctly, so then it gets rejected. But yes, that is my goal to work with defense firms to outsource this type of work.
- [18:17]
B
And then obviously, primarily the state of Arizona.
- [18:21]
A
Yes.
- [18:21]
B
Would that be cases. Sorry, continue.
- [18:23]
A
No, no, no. I was just going to say, although other states have adopted the same model. So I have helped people like in the state of Washington and Minnesota, too.
- [18:30]
B
I was about to say, when you say that I've noticed sometimes with law firms, they end up not necessarily partnering, but keeping tabs of a. Hey, listen, trying to help this person do the same thing. Is that your plan as well in the long term to try and do that across many states?
- [18:43]
A
Yes. And then Trump, too, is getting ready to reintroduce felons being able to get their felony rights or, excuse me, felons, to get their firearm rights back to at the federal level, which hasn't been done since 1992, thanks to Chuck Schumer. But, yes, I want to be able to do that, too.
- [19:02]
B
You're a big Chuck Schumer fan.
- [19:03]
A
No, I'm not a big fan.
- [19:06]
B
He was called Crying Chuck by Trump. She's got a name for everyone.
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A
I'm not a big fan. I don't, there's, there is cases with the Supreme Court that we really shouldn't even be legally allowed to take firearm weapons away. So I just did not agree with this 922G stuff. But.
- [19:25]
B
So you're a big Second Amendment kind of.
- [19:27]
A
Yes. Huge gun rights advocate. I, I think that this is something that we as Americans are entitled to for the Constitution and our Second Amendment rights. So I don't agree that we should be taking this away from people unless they're mentally ill or they have committed felonies with weapons in the past.
- [19:44]
B
And it's, it's hard to obviously track it down because obviously me, I'm right now permanent resident of the United States and learning the historical context behind it and like the American Revolution Second Amendment being in place to try and ensure that the government cannot be like a tyranny and try and like overthrow its people as well like that. So right. Historically everything kind of like makes sense. And, and, and also obviously with, I told you early on, my father in law had like multiple like guns as well, so recreational activity and all that kind of thing. And also in situations where I, you know, want someone that I care and love about to be able to defend themselves in case I may not be there as well. So there's a lot of reasons behind it. At the same time, there probably needs to be a bit more like control to make sure the right people have the guns. Like what do you say in situations like that? I don't want to go off topic with that, but like I know you're passionate about it, so I had to try next year. You know, I agree with a lot of stuff, stuff, but I also understand why the other side is getting super crazy. But I don't want like extreme stuff happening. I think everything happens in order. What's your opinion on that?
- [20:47]
A
Oh man, that's such a loaded question. You know, I, I, I truly agree with our Constitution that it is our everyone's right to bear arms if you're a United States citizen. I agree, like I said earlier, that if you're mentally incapacitated or you are a dangerous individual because, because you've committed crimes in the past that you shouldn't have it. But I think generally, yeah, everyone should be able to own a weapon, own a gun. I think it's imperative in fact, as a part of our Constitution.
- [21:17]
B
Alrighty. Alrighty. And now just to go more into this, where do you see you, your pr? I know you just thought it right now, but I can see the ambition and the excitement and you're knowledgeable in the, in, in the spiel. Where do you see yourself going in the next five years with this?
- [21:35]
A
Yeah, so I am trying to get into law school for next year and I want to take this to the next level. Still being able to provide affordable services for individuals who want to have their gun rights back, but just really advocating at a policy level to make sure that this happens. I talked earlier about The Supreme Court case. I really want to see where that goes and be a part of that momentum as we continue to go with this administration.
- [22:00]
B
Just promise me, don't go intern by Pierce Inspector Litt.
- [22:07]
A
Such a good show. Really inaccurate about everything, but it's a really good show.
- [22:13]
B
No, the reason I say my dad. My dad's an attorney back at home. He's been practicing for over 20 years. So he did. He. He's got his own law firm as well, doing super well. But he does law in the South Africa is very different to law in the United States. Obviously we don't like no jury and stuff, but.
- [22:29]
A
No jury. Wow.
- [22:30]
B
No. No jury. No jury. A judge. So we remember we had that famous case in 2010 with Oscar Pistorius, the one with like. No.
- [22:37]
A
Yes.
- [22:38]
B
Yes. That's. So a judge decides like. Yeah. And so it was a criminal case also. Very, very beautiful lady that was one of our top models in my country. Blonde, gorgeous girl that he ended up like shooting, thinking it was an intruder. So he says, I'm not going to talk about what I believe, but that's a story for another day. But obviously got a five year imprisonment. But that, that was it. And that obviously gave cave shockwaves. But our law system is so different there. Whereas I like both. I like both. I like the whole trial and jury and there because I feel like you're allowing people rather than one person to decide someone's fate.
- [23:22]
A
Yeah.
- [23:23]
B
But at the same time, what if they can be very not okay and very biased? You know, we've seen a lot of biased cases. O.J. simpson, all the many different stuff, you know what I'm saying? But I decided to share that. So would you go to undergrad? Where did you go undergrad?
- [23:36]
A
I went to asu. I'm hoping to be a double alum too.
- [23:40]
B
So you want to try and do law school?
- [23:41]
A
Yeah. Yeah. Yep. I love. You know, I've, I've lived in all different kinds of states. I've, I've lived here, Kansas, dc, Washington, Oregon. I've lived everywhere.
- [23:49]
B
I'm the same way.
- [23:50]
A
Yeah. And I, and I enjoy that. It was. One of the great things about our country is that we can, we can go to all these different places. But Arizona really has my heart. I have invested so much time and energy into this community. Community that I really just want to stay here and continue to do that.
- [24:03]
B
And there's so much potential with everything. Like every time I come here, like I'll spend a few weeks a month here. It's, it's the most unique community. I've traveled, like, 48. 40. No, no, like 45 states.
- [24:15]
A
Oh, wow.
- [24:16]
B
And, yeah, but I've only lived in, like, I think seven or eight. Because I live. I did an internship in New York. Wall Street.
- [24:23]
A
Oh, nice. Very nice.
- [24:24]
B
Yeah.
- [24:24]
A
Love New York.
- [24:25]
B
I love, love New York.
- [24:26]
A
I wish I could live there, Honestly, I really do. Yeah, it's just. But it's just too much for me. Too many people. Yeah.
- [24:32]
B
No, the reason I liked it, first of all, I. Growing up, I used to watch Gossip Girl. I don't know if you're familiar with.
- [24:37]
A
I never. I've actually never seen it. As girly as I am, I've never seen that show.
- [24:42]
B
I can't believe I told you that. Okay. But no, no, I just always say so. Even when I proposed to my wife, it was like. It was in New York. It was the Empire State Building kind of thing as well.
- [24:51]
A
Very cute.
- [24:52]
B
But from being so traveled and all that, every time I come to Arizona, like, even the gentleman I brought down here is one that was one of the biggest wholesalers as well. But the community, everyone is willing to be able to express, learn, and grow with each other, which I've never experienced in any single state.
- [25:08]
A
Yes.
- [25:09]
B
So I don't blame you when you say you want to stay in asu. You become like double alumni and all that. But it's just. There's a unique community here.
- [25:16]
A
Yeah. And everyone's the same way. We all want to invest in each other. Even the other small business owners that I've come in contact with so far. My journey with pro paralegal az. I mean, everyone's just so uplifting and encouraging, and I really do enjoy that. And like you said, you don't really find that in many other places.
- [25:33]
B
And then what's your. In terms of social media? Like, what's the trajectory in terms of, like, marketing and branding? Because this is a very. The nice thing is that it's not a saturated. Like, it's so, like, new. Because people aren't even aware of that.
- [25:45]
A
Right.
- [25:46]
B
It's always like, it's like a form of damnation. Like, I'm. I can't do anything. I'm screwed. Like, what's your plan regarding that, too?
- [25:51]
A
Oh, my gosh. I don't have a plan. As a millennial, you think I would be better with social media, but there's just something about it that I just can't. I just. I'm not a big poster. I like a. What do they call it? Like a ghost Posting ghost. I just kind of, you know, last.
- [26:05]
B
Post, 1st of January 2016.
- [26:06]
A
Yeah, no, but thankfully I have. I have some really good people and a good team behind that there that are really trying to give me the best ideas and help me sit down and record stuff. So I really appreciate that too.
- [26:18]
B
Okay. And so if you're gonna become, if you're gonna go to law school and end up like taking to the next step, what's your, your goal and trying to incorporate now with your legal background already that you currently have, how are you going to bring the two together?
- [26:32]
A
I think again, like I said earlier, just really honing in on the gun. Right. Advocacy. A lot of like we've talked about was people are really pushing for reform. I don't believe in reform. I don't believe reform is necessary. And so I really want to use my law degree to be able to kind of like stand up for what I believe in and what I think the Constitution and how I interpret it as well as millions of other people, the way they interpret it.
- [26:55]
B
Have you applied already?
- [26:56]
A
I have not. I took the LSAT in August, actually. So soon. I have everything ready to go. I just need to take the test.
- [27:04]
B
That's exciting.
- [27:04]
A
Yeah. I'm really excited. It's been a long time coming. I've been doing this for 10 years.
- [27:08]
B
Wow.
- [27:08]
A
Yeah.
- [27:09]
B
And obviously it's, it's a, it's a practice when you've been doing this for 10 years. We were doing this in Minnesota before then, right?
- [27:15]
A
No, no, I've always done it here. Well, yeah, I've always. I would say I've always done in Arizona.
- [27:21]
B
But you opened your own firm.
- [27:23]
A
Yes.
- [27:23]
B
Recently.
- [27:24]
A
Yeah.
- [27:24]
B
Okay. So that's why when you're telling all those stories. I was previously when you were in.
- [27:28]
A
At the U.S. attorney's office or in D.C. yeah. Yeah. So it's a combined experience of being a paralegal from across country.
- [27:35]
B
And I noticed, I was telling my dad this actually the other day. I think there are certain professions that I don't think people should ever worry about. AI and being an attorney is one of them. I personally feel.
- [27:47]
A
Yes, yes.
- [27:48]
B
Can you add on that too?
- [27:49]
A
No, I, you know, I have, I've tried. We've. I've experimented with. With my friends who are lawyers already and just asking chat. GBT question. Certain questions and they're always just like, that's not it. And then we'd go back to legal research and it's not right. So it's, it's chachi. BT is good. I think at like summarizing. Yes, yes. But definitely don't rely on it because laws change constantly and chat GPT is a good researcher, but it's not a good legal researcher which are, which are two totally different things things. Legal research is like one of the top things taught in law school. And ChatGPT has not gone to law school, never will. So it, there's just no way it can do legal research like we can.
- [28:26]
B
And also the critical thinking, you know.
- [28:28]
A
Yes.
- [28:28]
B
Thinking on top of your head trying to like know your facts so that you can try and like I don't articulate it to try and like you know, get the best case scenario because it can give you everything in very, in an automated way. But like like yes, AI can only take you so far. But like you do need an actual person to represent you on your behalf.
- [28:48]
A
You law is a chess game and you really need to be two steps ahead of your opponent in order to win. And chatgpt just it can't guess one what your opponent is going to do and to how you should be able to structure your argument around it.
- [29:01]
B
Okay. And is your right now it's not a nonprofit, it's an actual practicing thing so customers end up like. Is it like a retainer kind of thing? How does that work?
- [29:09]
A
It's flat fee. I just, I charge everyone the same rate no matter what. It's a flat fee fee. And then yeah I as soon, as soon as we fill out the agreement, I'll get to work. And then within 90 to 120 days you shall be right back.
- [29:22]
B
I'm glad. That's one thing I noticed as well. When people give the time frame it's like saying within. In other words, it can come earlier but you don't want people just calling non stop because oh my gosh, yes.
- [29:32]
A
When I used to work for private practice law firms it clients would call a lot and it is a lot. And I do enjoy talking with them because it's not something lawyers typically do. That's another reason why you should hire a paralegal is lawyers usually pawn off the calls to the paralegal legals. So you might as well just work with me.
- [29:44]
B
Anyways, I was about to say because paralegals actually know you know, know it in depth. It's not like one of those think about paralegals that end up in a firm, bigger firm, they actually go back to the law lawyers and please correct me if I'm wrong, you know it way better than I do. But like they do the research, they do like the in depth and analysis and all the kind of stuff, finding it out and then going to go let the lawyer know by they're the lawyers chat GPT Pretty much, yeah.
- [30:09]
A
I would never, I would never work in private practice again because of the work, the amount of work that I do comp compared to what the attorney does. And I, and I don't mean to discredit attorneys at all. I think attorneys are great. I love all my friends who are attorneys, but we just do a lot of work as a paralegal for very low pay. So attorneys are charging clients, you know, four, I would say three to $500 an hour. They're charging paralegals at 125 an hour. Paralegals are the one doing all the work by pay for the attorney.
- [30:37]
B
And have you ever thought about trying to even go the path after you get your, your law degree like, like business attorney, branding attorney, all these different stuff or you're just so passionate about this. Gun rights.
- [30:47]
A
I really love criminal justice. It is so fascinating. My time at the U.S. attorney's office, you know, I get to work at 8 and by 4 o' clock I just like, I couldn't believe that it was 4 o' clock because I'm just having so much fun. It is fascinating to read about all of these different crimes that people commit. How defense counsel is working in on their end, meeting with the criminals, meeting with, you know, our agents, which I love and adore. It's just such a fascinating aspect of our society that I don't think people get to really delve into.
- [31:15]
B
But what's the best part of your.
- [31:17]
A
Job at Pro Per Legal? Azir When I was working for the federal government, both oh, I think working for the federal government is working with the agents and hearing about the things that they get to do and what they're investigating and how their mind is operating as the investigation is ongoing. I think that part was really cool. It's very criminal minded, esque, if you will, appropriately paralegal. Az I just love that I get to meet different people within my community. So before it was working mostly with agents and with prosecutors, but now I actually get to work with individuals who have already committed the crime and kind of help them like restore that life now that the prosecution is over.
- [31:54]
B
And I think one thing you get to realize that they, they're actual human beings and whether it was a mistake or whether they did something like people just want a second chance. And I think what you provide is hope. And I think it's such an Important thing knowing that, hey, listen, you can go practice and gain the amount of guns you want to get, but more importantly also, you can vote. You can do all these different stuff. I think hope is such an important thing because we just end up, like, giving people, like, an, you know, a level of a damnation where, like, you can't progress. You're just stuck in a certain thing. And I think hope is such an important thing. Eh? Wouldn't you agree?
- [32:30]
A
No, I agree. And, you know, I have met so many individuals who have committed crimes, who regret it, and who are trying to do the best they possibly can to provide food on the table, to. To start a family, to start their own businesses. And again, I don't think that one mistake should limit them from being able to do those things.
- [32:50]
B
I couldn't agree more. But what for somebody out there that may be watching this, let's say now they. They're out of jail. And I know you said, like, be an outstanding citizen doing the best part you can do. What advice would you give somebody right now that's just had their life shattered? They can't even get a job. What's the first step you think they can do right now to try and get their life back in order?
- [33:10]
A
I think just. Just have faith. We have so many misconceptions about the judicial system, and I get it. Wow. I cannot talk today. The judicial system just convicted them, sent them to prison, and I totally get it makes them have, you know, some serious doubts about whether or not it's there to actually help them. But I really just want them to have hope that it does and that this avenue gives them that hope that they are going to need and they should definitely use if. If they can to restart their life. One past mistake does not define the rest of your life. We all make mistakes. They might think that their mistake because it landed them in prison is more serious, but I would tend to disagree. There's people that do things all the time and they're never convicted. So, yeah, just have faith.
- [33:59]
B
I know you spoke about dei. Can speeding fines prevent people from, like, voting and stuff?
- [34:04]
A
Speeding fines? No. Okay. No. Traffic violations are completely separate.
- [34:10]
B
That's interesting, but. Yeah. No, no, no. Are you sure? Or maybe it's just a different state to Florida. Because I know Florida people that had speeding fines had to pay off the fines that they had before they could vote.
- [34:22]
A
Really?
- [34:23]
B
I could be wrong because I remember the case. It was a 2020. Michael Bloomberg, I think, went down to Florida and they were just trying to help everyone, like Pay off their fines that they could try and vote because they couldn't vote. Maybe it could be. I could be wrong. Please don't quote me on that or anywhere, but I think that was the situation.
- [34:41]
A
Well, anything's possible. I, I wouldn't put it past me. Anything's possible, but I. That would be very surprising to me.
- [34:47]
B
Yeah, I, like I said, I'm not 100% sure on that. I just, I just remembered like them just spending millions of dollars try and like pay people's fines off. I don't know. Cuz I'm like, I've never ever. I didn't even hear that. And maybe I was just eavesdropping it. It could be 100% inaccurate. But I'll check it after the podcast.
- [35:04]
A
Yeah, I will too. That's very. That's very interesting, I hope.
- [35:08]
B
Okay, thank you.
- [35:09]
A
Did we get confirmation?
- [35:10]
B
That's true. Wow. Yeah.
- [35:13]
A
Florida is different.
- [35:14]
B
Yeah.
- [35:15]
A
Well, altogether Florida is different, but. Yeah. So that's why I specialize in the certain states that I do. Did it? Wow. States like Alabama. Whoa. But Arizona's on here too. So it says states like Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Florida and Tennessee specifically require payments of all fines and fees. Fines and fees of what the court finds in fees. It's just, it just says if you have felony conviction, paying fines, fees, costs and restitution. Yes. So that, that's different than traffic. Yeah, that is a part of the, the requirements too, to have your rights restored. Is that all your restitution and court fees have to be paid?
- [36:05]
B
Okay. All right. Maybe that, that, that's what the thing was.
- [36:08]
A
Yeah, I think that's probably what it was. That makes much more sense. Traffic fines are different.
- [36:12]
B
So what are court fines or court fees? What are those?
- [36:16]
A
They're court ordered. Usually when you're sentenced of the fees that you have to pay. We like at the U.S. attorney's office, at the federal level, we'll have like a victims fee. This helps us be able to provide victims where certain services like flying them to here, like if they're not from the states, we need to fly them here, Those kinds of things. Or court fees. Or like if you file something, you never paid it, those types of situations. Or if you have like, I don't know, there's fees associated with sentences too. So if you serve like 10 years, you might be sentenced to like to pay restitution of like five grand. I don't know. It just depends. Also depends on your crime too.
- [36:51]
B
So no. 10 years of paralegal. You definitely, you know, I'VE noticed even with my dad had a paralegal as well, you end up just, it becomes second nature in just like, like even resolving stuff super quickly. Because the amount of stuff that I just given to you, I've seen files dropped off on a desk. I've seen so many different stuff. And, and that was even like pre AI summarized.
- [37:15]
A
That was because we can't use AI in court either. So. Yeah, I love that. But it's pretty much, gosh, I hate to say cut and dry, but once you, like, once you see one of a certain type of case, like manslaughter or murder or second degree rape or whatever it is, you kind of understand like, okay, this is what I. In like discovery and stuff. This is what I should be asking for. It's kind of. And you have such a great relationship too, with a federal public defender's office that you just, you know, you know exactly what is what you need to get from the other side and to kind of get this case going. So it's great. And I also work with attorneys who loved teaching. They were teaching me all the time. I was constantly going to court with them, constantly trying to learn. I asked all the time why they're doing certain things and why they don't do others. Like, it was just such a great learning experience. And I am so thankful for the attorneys I got to work with.
- [38:05]
B
That's amazing. And with. You provide obviously, like consulting in person, which makes it super. Right? Do they come to the office or is it like over the phone or.
- [38:14]
A
We do everything over the phone or over zoom.
- [38:16]
B
Oh, okay.
- [38:17]
A
Yeah.
- [38:17]
B
You don't provide the in person consulting.
- [38:20]
A
No, I don't. Just because I'm doing it. It's not brick and mortar yet. So once I get to that place, I will. But at this point, everything's over the phone or something. And really we're just going over questions to make sure you're eligible. That's really all we have to do. Oh, yeah, yeah. So you don't have to come in a lot of times too. My clients are just super busy. They're. They're blue collar workers and so they just don't have the time to come up to where I'm at in Cape Creek to do it.
- [38:44]
B
So we, we had a tenant, a mastermind year. One of the owners, Jason, he holds a mastermind. Yeah, because. Because I was doing podcasts here, but everyone inside, they 90% were blue collar. And like even coming to this thing, they have to put in their schedule because they constantly, always working. You Know, it's such a demanding kind of thing. Although I'm a little different. I'm one of those, like, I'm an in person person.
- [39:07]
A
Are you?
- [39:08]
B
Yeah. I've never ever done a podcast over zoom. I've had people even in England that I reached out to. I had one guy from England that actually came to Vegas from like the Grant Cardone 10X conference. I'm like, perfect, let's go sit down. I have a nice Airbnb that we rented out in Vegas and we had like, like a nice view of the waterfalls and stuff like that. I was like, you know what you hear and I'm the same way. Like, I come to AZ Miami, blah, blah, blah. Because it's just for me, I don't know, I. I zone out over zoom and stuff.
- [39:38]
A
Really. I don't mind it. I don't mind. I wasn't a big proponent of like zoom meetings during COVID and stuff. I understand the necessity for it, but I'm kind of like you. I like in person, but I'm trying to cater towards the blue collar workers who are about 90% of my clientele base. So I'm just trying to help them get all the information I can from them. They'll hang up on the phone, then I just finish up everything that I need to get it over to the court.
- [40:02]
B
And I think that's what people need to understand is the fact that you trying to see if you can get pre qualified or if it actually would work and make sense for you in your scenario as well. Because that's why it's one of those things where there's no need for you to drive two, three hours if it's just like a few questions, like 30 minutes or an hour, so it's convenient. So that's beautiful. Technology is convenience, you know, so. Yeah, and I think in that situation I would do the same thing. I was just saying, like, gosh, I sometimes, I don't know, I just, I get a little embarrassed. I'm like, can I just see you in person? I committed this crime. I may have taken, I don't know, bread from like, I don't know, the grocery store. And I prefer just saying in front of you. I don't know, you just feel like you record it. I don't know. That's just.
- [40:41]
A
Personally me, my mom is always just like, should you be meeting with felons in person? And I'm like, no, they're regular people, mom. They're, they're totally fine. I feel safe with every person I'VE ever met. They're really, they're just the most thankful people, and I love that. And again, blue collar workers who are probably cleaning your pool or building your roof or helping you, you know, change your tire off the side of the road. It's those type of people that I'm trying to help.
- [41:06]
B
Blue collar workers are the heartbeat of America.
- [41:08]
A
Oh, yes. Especially in this heat. Oh, my gosh. I could not do what they do.
- [41:12]
B
120 degrees and like, it's just do the same thing like every day and they do it with a smile on their face again, you know what I'm saying? So it's about like, just people that just embrace it, you know? So, yeah, no, they. Everyone deserves a voice to be heard. And, and I think sometimes things can be a little unfair, where it can be a little harsher, circumstances obviously a little bit more different. But the fact that people, there's people representing and allowing and, you know, veteran started and owned is such a big thing because veterans do so much as well, like in just standing in the front lines and just providing, whether it be service or combat, doesn't matter. You're still serving your country. So.
- [41:50]
A
Yeah, yeah, I agree with that.
- [41:51]
B
Awesome stuff. What other things you might. You want to share and talk about as well as we conclude? Because I only have like two, three more questions.
- [42:00]
A
I, I think we've. I think we've got it all. You know, I just really want to emphasize that this isn't available to anyone convicted of a felony in the state. And I really, truly do hope that they get the. The. Excuse me. I really, truly hope that they get what they need because like I said, you know, one. One mistake should not define your entire future.
- [42:20]
B
I love that so much. So, yeah, we have Mrs. Harvey Specter here as well, so I hope you prepared. What was Meghan Markle's name? I forgot her name. I know. Mike Ross and.
- [42:33]
A
Oh, my God.
- [42:34]
B
Gosh. Rachel.
- [42:35]
A
Yes, Rachel.
- [42:36]
B
Rachel Zane. So, yeah, no, now I'm grateful. These are my favorite kinds of podcasts where it's just straight conversation, where it's not like a rehearse. Like, where do you see yourself in the. No, it's just I love conversations and I'm grateful you came in the studio as well. If I always ask people this, especially as we approach to conclude as well, because it's called the code winning insights you need today to seize the world tomorrow. If you were to define just the term winning, what does it mean for Danielle?
- [43:09]
A
Oh, gosh, that's a great question. I think Winning is just anytime that I am happy, I want. That's one of the biggest reasons why I started my own business was because I just wanted to be happy. And I wasn't finding that, you know, busting my butt day in and day out for somebody else. I really wanted to work for myself and work with the vision that I have. And ever since I've started, I've been happy.
- [43:32]
B
So I've interviewed over 90 people even though I only have 40 episodes. And that was my definition as well. And so that's the best answer that I've gotten because. And I'm not saying the answer that they gave great. Everyone has given great answers. Everyone is kind of like elaborated like and gave like their, their mantra, their motto there for life and all that. But I think like, like at the end of the day, like with so much of heartache, sadness, depression that we all like experience, like if you wake up every single day and you're like, listen, I'm making a difference in this world, I'm interviewing an amazing paralegal right now. It's changing the world on my like time that I decided to have that is winning. Thank you so much, Daniel. If you could let our viewers know where they could get a hold of you website, if you have like a office number or whatever. If you can let them know where to get a hold of you as well if they want to try and like reach out and try and find out a bit more about what you do.
- [44:25]
A
Yeah, absolutely. If you are a felon trying to restore your civil rights and your firearm rights, please reach out to me @propararealegalaz on social media. You can also go to proparealegalaz.com the.
- [44:38]
B
Link will also be in the description section for both and all our platforms as well. So if you want to know what she said, it's going to be right in the description section to just click the link below as well. The coat winning insights you need today to seize the world tomorrow. The amazing Danielle came in the studio. Thank you very much.
- [44:54]
A
Thank you so much for having me.