Continued No More!

Another Tuesday spent in the courtroom.

For the fourth time, I was subpoenaed to testify for the guy who used the stroller to hife merchandise, and then decided we would wrestle our way through the vestibule until the police department grabbed him up trying to run away. Several time before I had reported to the court for him, only to be told the case was being continued becaue he was represented appropriately. I always thought you would be assigned a Public Defender when you couldn't afford a proper attorney, but I guess I was wrong.

So finally, I am at the court, the bad guy is seated in the waiting room when I arrive, so I don't even slow down there. I walk right through the waiting room and enter the courtroom. Not only does this put me with the guys on the right side of law, but it also says I am here and ready for the case to begin.

Of course, the DA comes up to me and asks if its okay that he put a case before mine, and I agreed. Afterall, I am getting paid no matter how long I am sitting in the courtroom. So, I sat there and observed as a case of Stolen Identity, Forgery, False reports, etc was played out before me. I watched as a Police Officer testified about responding to an auto accident, then receiving false information from one of the vehicle operators, now, the female sitting at the Defense table.

They would end up debating back and forth about a detail of the way the law is worded and after close review by the Judge, the charge of Identity Theft was thrown out. The Prosecutor was not happy.

Finally, after every possible delay they could think of, it was time for my case of the Baby Stroller Assault Theft and Assault. Before the case moved an inch, the Defense Attorney and Prosecutor stepped into a conference room. Moments later, the District Attorney came out and discussed the possibility of dropping the charge of Endangering the Welfare of a Child. I pictured in my mind, how this guy shoved me to the ground, pushed the occuppied babystroller into me as he tried to get out of the store, wrestled with me out onto the sidewalk and finally fleeing on foot dragging the stroller behind him. How is this NOT endangering the child? The arresting police officer and the DA both agreed it will be very hard for this charge to stick. I voiced my opinion, but yielded to their expertise in the matter.

The deal was, if we dropped the Endangering Charge, he would plead guilty to Robbery, Assault, Retail Theft, and Harassment. I took the four guilty pleas to one dropped charge. The remaining charges would be brought up at trial in about a month, unless he makes another agreement about the sentencing without a trial.

Next up... the trial to be held for the young shoplifter who decided it would be necessary to spray mace into my face. Can't wait to see how the law gets twisted around these charges!