‘ You wanted one last fling before rehab?’

‘ You wanted one last fling before rehab?’

“Everytime I see you, you tell me you are going to straighten up,” said Judge Thorne of West Memphis District Court to a man with a felony charge. “Do you have means to hire an attorney?”

“No.”

“Are you working?”

“Yes. On President’s Island.”

“How long have you been there?”

“Two weeks.”

“See the public defender.”

The next man had a drug paraphernalia charge and possession of a firearm.

“How long has it been since I’ve seen you?”

“Six months.”

“Do you have the means to hire an attorney?”

“No.”

“Who do you live with?”

“My mother.”

“Is she here?”

“No.”

“Are you working?”

“Yes.”

“See the public defender.

The next man with a felony charge of possession of drug paraphernalia said, “I just got out of prison.”

“You just got out of prison and you are already here on a drug charge? Are you employed?”

“No, sir.”

“Do you live with your daddy?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Do you have money for an attorney?”

“No, sir,” said his father who was in the courtroom.

The next man in jail with a felony charge was charged with aggravated robbery and battery 3rd.

“Do you have the means to hire an attorney?”

“No, sir.”

“Where do you live?”

“West Memphis.”

“Do you have a felony pending?”

“I don’t understand. I don’t remember.”

“Jail, let him talk to the public defender.”

A man in jail was charged with obstruction of justice. He pled no contest.

Judge Fred Thorne “Who is Brandy?”

“My cousin.”

“Why did you give his name?” “I was under the influence of my medicine.”

The next man in jail was also charged with obstruction of justice.

“How do you plead?”

“Guilty.”

“What was your excuse?”

“I had a parole violation and was afraid of getting caught up.”

“Whose name did you give?”

“My step brother.”

“What happened to you last time?”

“I got four months for shoplifting.”

“You have met me before. You know I am a pretty straight-up guy. Why did you use your step-brother’s name. You know we could have arrested him.”

“He already knew. My bad!”

“Yes it is your bad. 20 days jail.”

Aman in jail had charges from January.

“Why didn’t you come to court?”

“I was working two jobs and I forgot.”

“How many people in this courtroom are over 50 years old?”

Lots of people raised their hands.

“How many of you would miss your court date? What were you doing when you got arrested this time?”

“I was taking my girls’ kids to their grandma.”

“$395 plus court costs on the no insurance and $50 plus court costs and 10 days jail on the second failure to appear.”

Another man in jail was not in the room when his name was called. Jailers brought him in and he was crying and making odd noises while coming down the isle.

“Jail, do we need to have him evaluated?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Is he able to talk to the public defender?”

“No, sir.”

“NO!” said the man himself.

“Have him evaluated and we will see about his case on Monday.”

A man in jail was asked how he pled to public intoxication.

“Guilty, sir.”

“What were you drinking?”

“Me and my friend had a bottle of vodka. I had about half a bottle.”

“It must have been a big bottle.”

“It was. I am supposed to start rehab. Tom Catt was supposed to set me up to go.”

“You wanted one last fling before rehab?” “That’s what happened.”

“You were at the dog track and they said you stole some money. $250 plus court costs. Jail, let him make a call to Tom Catt and if you can get in rehab we will see what we can work out.”

Ayoung man in the courtroom was charged with no proof of insurance.

He showed his proof to the bailiff.

“I had the wrong card on me.” “You got insurance after the accident, but you did not have insurance at the time of the accident?”

“I guess not.”

The next lady was charged with following too close. She pled no contest.

“I’m sorry to have to ask you this, but how old are you?”

“85.”

“You rear ended him?”

“Yes I did.”

“You had insurace?”

“Yes I did.”

“I want you to go to your eye doctor and bring me a letter next Friday stating that you can see well enough to drive.”

“I’ve just been to him lately.”

“Who is your doctor?”

“I can’t remember his name.”

“You have the right to forget some things. Bring me the letter back next Friday.” “I will.”

A man in the courtroom was charged with no seatbelt and no insurance. He pled no contest.

“I was trying to buy a car from a woman and she couldn’t produce the paper so I didn’t buy it. I am no longer working and I have checked myself into rehab at the 8th Street Mission.”

“$165 plus court costs but I can defer the payment till you get out of rehab. You know lots of people go in there but skip out after a little while.”

Ayoung man in the courtroom was asked by Judge Thorne, “What grade are you in school?”

“I’m out of school.”

He pled guilty to all charges. His mother was with him.

“What is he doing with his life?”

“He is working and going to school,” said his mother.

The man he had hit was also in the courtroom.

“Did he leave the scene?”

“Yes, sir. He sped off.”

“Did you try and talk to him?” “I didn’t get the chance. He left too quick.”

To the man in the courtroom, Judge Thorne asked, “Why did you leave the scene?”

“I was going somewhere.”

“Momma, that doesn’t sound good.”

“He didn’t tell me he had an accident. I found out through a co-worker.”

“What did you do to him?”

“I cussed and yelled and preached all over him.”

“Sir, I am not happy. $55 plus court costs on the no driver’s license. $195 plus court costs on the no proof of insurance. 16 hours community service on leaving the scene and 16 hours commuity service on the following too close. You will have the community service done by January 19th. For every hour you don’t do it will be one day in jail.”

They started to leave and Judge Thorne called them back.

“You will also be on three months probation with the Justice Network for leaving the scene of the accident.”