I need to do some work on my thread one of these days. I need to get it organized nicely, like Mutatio's. I really envy his threads and the thought he puts into them. But tonight? Tonight I will share the first of my court stories.
I had to appear in court just long enough to get the court date changed. Even for something as simple as that, you must appear before the judge. So, I google what one should wear to court, and dressed accordingly.
I was all agog entering the court-house. I had no idea there were different chambers, all with court cases being heard at the same time. I was a nervous wreck, having never been required to appear before. My lawyer walked me to the courthouse and chatted with me in an attempt to calm me down.
Right off the bat, I set off the alarms at security. I had to be pulled to the side and had a wand used on me. I know I had to have been white as a sheet, because my lawyer was snickering at me. Turns out metal buckles on boots is a good way to set the alarms off. (Note to self.)
We made our way to the correct chambers. I was instructed to sit with my group, while the attorney's all went to the front to wait. I stuck out like a sore thumb in my group. I was dressed like the attorneys! My group perked up a little with my appearance in the middle of them, though, so I was able to provide comfort. An obvious mom was amongst them!
I watched the proceedings with great curiosity. All the court cases being moved to another date went first. I got to observe people coming straight from the jail in jumpsuits and shackles. There was an interesting snafu when a DA was arguing for the defendant to wear a monitor to ensure he stayed away from the victim. Apparently, the guy knew where the victim lived but not where she worked. In order to tell him where he could not be, they were going to have to let him know where the witness worked, which kind of defeated the purpose of having him warned to stay away. The judge and defense attorney had a bit of a challenge getting the prosecutor to understand why telling the defendant where the victim worked was not a good idea.
Once my name was called, I went up to stand by my attorney. I stood there for a minute with him, while the judge and prosecutor looked around the room. Finally, my attorney said,"This is her." They both looked at me, full of shock. I sent a bright sunny smile to the judge, and he sent a friendly grin right back. I had to listen to instructions to stay out of trouble, stay away from witnesses (even though I live with one, kind of), and be available for random drug tests. Then I signed a paper with my new court date, and sailed out of there on admittedly shaky knees.
In and out in 30 minutes. Then, it was off to the bail office to provide them with my new court date. They were quite happy to see me. They remembered me quite well, and had been worried, apparently.
I never in a million years imagined I'd be having this experience! But since I am, I plan to make the most of it. I figured most of you would enjoy learning about the inner workings of the American court system vicariously. It's kind of nice knowing people I've never met, would likely have never met, remember me and are concerned. That is a pleasant surprise in the middle of all this ugliness.
H and the thugs intended to bury me in shame; I'm having a unique adventure instead. I'm not telling H I'm likely to get all charges dropped. I have a feeling the thugs would seek to stir up more trouble. I've had enough for one lifetime, thanks.
