On Jurisprudence

Have I mentioned before how I don't enjoy going to court? The parking, the elbow-to-elbow crowded elevators, the hard wooden seats, sniveling attorneys, etc . . . . Went this morning; originally I had two subpoenas for the same time, different court rooms on different floors, lucky for me one was cancelled, only had to concern myself with being in one. (still not feeling lucky - I've sat in court rooms way too many times over the years). I took crosswords (NY & LA Times that appear in the RJ) to pass the time but soon discovered these were difficult ones; some are easier. Blogging came to mind. So, I listened a little more to the proceedings. Most were innocuous and not worthy of note.

I looked at the “in-custody” group; one white male sitting on the end of a row of six minorities. (Intentional segregation?) All wore either orange or blue jump suits (depending on County or City Jail inmate). All wearing ugly orange, plastic slippers, some with matching orange socks. No Yves Saint Laurent stuff. All were male, under 30 y.o.a. ~ years of age for you citizens. :-) & all in the chrome ankle and wrist chains, Peerless brand cuffs. Good police equipment!

Prior to these in-custody cases a few caught my attention. One elderly black lady was facing eviction. She was two months behind in rent, maybe 75 y.o.a. As the judge asked her when she can pay, she cleared her throat and managed a weak rebuttal, "I have half of it Your Honor, but what can be done about no heat in the apartment since October?" It was learned the heat was fixed just this week. Rent was $600 a month. The judge waived any late fees and gave her 72 hrs to pay. I wished I had cash on me, I'd have handed it to her. (But then again, I don't know all the details - she wasn't dressed too poorly - a red knee length wool coat and clutch purse held to her chest with gnarled old woman's hands.) The propery manager kept quiet - measly looking slime bag that he was, complete with bad comb-over and thick glasses.

One guy was in there for a traffic ticket for no proof of insurance and registration in his car. Judge: "Where's the paper work?" Defendant: "It's in my car." seconds of obvious silence passed . . . Judge: "Where's your car?" Defendant: "Downstairs." Judge: "Can you go get it and bring it back?" Defendant: "Oh yeah, I didn't know you wanted to see it." (for the record, as long as I was in that court room he never returned)

A few whining attorneys plead for, and were granted, continuances of their cases because of conflicting trial schedules, unable to locate their clients & witnesses, clerical mistakes by staff, etc.

One guy in custody. List of criminal charges read aloud in court (fortunately lacking some of the details) Burglary, indecent/immoral behavior & open and gross lewdness. Lady came home to find adult neighbor in her bedroom, not fully clothed. Defendant accepted plea to a lesser degree of simple home invasion to avoid the preliminary hearing of all the details of this crime. Will only go to District Court for sentencing - that Judge will hopefully know all the slimy details and sentence him accordingly.

Another guy in custody. 18 yr old Senior in a local high school. Charged with Threats to Kill or do Great Bodily Harm to a School Employee. (didn't know this crime was on the books) He accepted a plea to a lesser degree of simple battery if he completes the school's requirements and stays out of trouble; to return at the end of the school year in front of same judge. He spoke Spanglish with no courtesy shown towards the judge. The tattoos told me he'll fail this challenge.

Two others from the audience approached the bench with their public defender: Both waived their right to a preliminary hearing, accepting lesser pleas of Possession of controlled substance, Possession with intent to sale a controlled substance and simple robbery. Their relief was obvious being able to walk out of court. Plea bargained thanks to our District Attorney!

Any one else see a pattern with our court system?

By the way, my two victims were there but my bad guy wasn't. Judge placed a cash-bail-only warrant on him, in the exact amount of restitution to the victims based on my case submittal: $6,000. If he gets picked up, some justice may be finally served. May be served, lotta variables now days!!