Court room drama, act III

OK, my third appearance on this jerk – Parole revocation, convicted felon – contracting without a license and obtaining money under false pretenses (construction fraud) with 13 priors! Got lucky, found metered parking spot with 3 hours already showing. Fed meter $1.25 more and walked the block to the court house. An assortment of the populous were doing the same thing. Although it was hard to tell who were defendants free on bail, witnesses or victims, the attorneys were easy to spot; suit and tie, brief case and cell phone up to one ear. I by-passed the long lines at the metal detectors by using my badge at the “law enforcement only” turn style then stood with others awaiting the next available elevator going up with enough space for us all. “Ping.” The crowd parted as another crowed exited. We all moved in unison into the newly emptied elevator car and we were suddenly less strange to each other, having had eye contact and small talk awaiting this ride. It smelled of "people." I got off on the 15th floor and walked down the polished marble floor and the cold steel and glass corridor to the court room. I took a seat at the end of a row and looked around. I noted my defendant was in his usual orange jump suit with his new-best buddies all grouped together with the guards nearby.

I overheard the prosecutor and parole officer discussing the case and I let them know I was present. He was not the same assistant D.A. as last time and just as uninformed of the facts. Before I could summarize the case the judge came in and court got underway. The first few went quickly; they admitted their guilt and waived their rights to trial by jury. I assume just wanting to get the inevitable over with – prison time. This wasn’t the day for that, (for most of them) just guilty plea acceptance. Penalty & sentencing set for next week. They included a 34 yr old homeless guy who hadn’t held a job longer than two years, his last job lasted four months. He was a cook at Johnny Rockers. He was guilty of trying to use another's ATM card. He had an 11th grade education. He acknowledged his wrongdoing willing to accept his sentence, probably thinking prison is better than being homeless.

The next case was armed robbery, he was one of two defendants, the other already serving time. It took two of them to aim a gun at a guy, take his "purse" that included cell phone, sun glasses and wallet with $55, only to be arrested walking away from the scene of the crime. They hadn't even spent any of the cash! Another high-school drop out.

The next few required defense atty arguments, excuses and whining and were more complicated. A felony DUI, a home-invasion, a convicted child molester from CA who failed to register in Vegas; blah blah blah. (This is why I can't stand Judge Judy and similar shows.) I half-listened as I worked on the newspapers’ crossword puzzles. One was a murder case where the Def has been in the county jail for over a year awaiting trial. His atty needed a continuance so he can go to LA on another murder trial. Ordered to be ready to go in two weeks! Another was a husband guilty of felony battery on his wife – he was out on bail today there for sentencing. She had driven him to court; they still live together. She sat in the back of the court room and remained un-noticed until the judge began asking the Def questions. She stood, out of order, and argued for “protection papers.” (She came close to being ejected by the Bailiff) Judge Glass told her she can’t have it both ways-husband home when she needed money and gone when she didn’t like his attitude- “you guys work it out.” She ordered him to attend level 2 domestic violence counseling, move out of the house and pay court costs. Since he was found guilty in an earlier court, the sentence was twenty-two months in the state prison, suspended sentence. Violate conditions of parole and he goes to prison.

My case is called. Finally! Prosecutor announced all witnesses present and ready to go and added that the Def has a new felony arrest warrant. This is were I stood and took the warrant copy to the D/A. ~ my case I filed in October. Bailiff was ordered to re-book him even though he's already in custody. The Def's conniving, sneaky, manipulative, shrewd and skanky (ha) atty raised doubts about new evidence his investigators discovered. They approached the bench and conferred several minutes. Judge Glass has another trial she wants to start on time at 10:15. All excused, apologized to again, and set to return in about 60 days, after the probable cause hearing on my case! As I walked past my witnesses, they asked, "What just happened?" I said, "The wheels of justice need oil. We gotta come back, again!" I wasn't happy, but at least I walked out of the court room, the bad guy goes back to County jail. I have to look at "justice" differently.

As I got on the elevator the bar-owner/victim was questioned by the Def's atty who also got on with us. (Note to self to notify the D/A about possible ethics violations.) The bar owner has a law suit with the legitimate contractor, who my bad guy worked for and stole from, and is willing to blab to anyone willing to listen that he's lost millions of dollars on this whole deal. I had to remind him about the checks and the guy not being licensed and other major parts of the case that need to stay in the court room. (the other elevator folks all with wide eyes.) The atty says, "We all need to talk. I'll buy you guys lunch." "Count me out" as I excused myself, citing the reasons for the original case submittal. My crystal ball tells me the preliminary hearing will be real interesting - a disgruntled and hostile witness - and an attorney with new evidence and possible unethical interview of witnesses. I love my job. . . . . ( true or false? )