‘ But I told them the truth right after I told a lie’

‘ But I told them the truth right after I told a lie’

Man offers perfectly reasonable explanation for using a fake name

news@theeveningtimes.com

“There are 38 people in jail today,” lamented Judge Fred Thorne as he took the bench in West Memphis District Court.

A young man charged with a felony theft was asked, “How old are you?”

“16.”

“Do your parents know you are in jail?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Do you know why they aren’t here?”

“No, sir.”

There was another man called up with him.

“How old are you?”

“21.”

“How do you know this man?”

“He is like family.”

“You aren’t being a very good example for him, are you?”

“They had a 12 year old with them,” said the court attorney. “He is going to juvenile court.” “You both need to talk to the public defender.”

Aman with a felony charge of delivery of meth was told by the judge, “I have seen you every year for the last 25 years.”

“Right.”

“Are you working?”

“No, sir.”

“See the public defender.”

A woman with a felony charge of possession of controlled substance was asked, “Where do you live?”

“Bartlett.”

“Why were you in Crittenden County?” “I was at the dog track.” “Do you have a job?”

“No. I’m disabled and care for my elderly grandmother.”

“You can’t care for her when you are in jail. See the public defender.”

The next woman was also charged with possession of controlled substances.

“Where do you live?”

“West Memphis.”

“Are you employed?”

“No, sir.”

“Who supports you?”

“My friend-girl at times. She sends money through Paypal.”

“This woman has a murder charge in circuit court,” said the clerk.

“$10,000 bond on your drug charges. Go to circuit court.”

Aman with a felony charge of possession of cocaine was also asked where he lived.

“Tennessee.”

“Why were you in Arkansas?”

“The dog track.”

“Build it and they shall come! What do you do for a living?”

“I own land and rent it to a tenant. I also work for him.” “How much did your income tax say you made last year?”

“$40,000.”

“I will not give you an appointment with the public defender.”

A 16 year old in the courtroom was charged with no driver’s license and no insurance. He pled no contest and had an interpreter with him.

“Are you in school?”

“Yes, in Shelby County.”

Judge Fred Thorne “Which school?”

“Overton.”

“What is written on their shirts?”

“They work as a tree cutting service,” said the interpreter.

“$45 plus court costs on the driver’s license. $135 plus court costs on the insurance. Jail! Do you have some trees they can cut down?”

“Yes, we do,” answered the jail clerk.

“Father you do the driving. I don’t know why you needed an interpreter. If he goes to Overton he should be able to understand and speak English.”

A man in jail charged with loitering pled no contest.

“Jail, have him evaluated and I’ll see him again on Monday. Normal people don’t do what he did.”

“I wasn’t going to the bathroom in front of the church. They just thought I was.”

“That wasn’t exactly what they said you were doing. Don’t do that evaluation jail, I’m giving him 10 days.”

A man in jail charged with driving on suspended pled guilty. He also pled guilty to using a bogus name.

“Whose name was it?”

“A buddy of mine. But I told them the truth right after I told a lie.”

“$395 plus court costs and two days jail.”

The next man in jail was charged with criminal trespass and pled no contest.

“Can I explain?”

“If you say it slow enough that I can understand. The last time you were here I had to just let you out of jail because you spoke so fast I couldn’t understand you.”

The man began explaining his situation but was talking too fast to understand.

“Stop! You were found asleep on a bench.”

“I passed out.”

“I’ll let you out in five days.”

“Okay, okay.”

A man in jail was asked, “Weren’t you in my court two weeks ago?”

“I want to change my plea.” “You resisted arrest. Talk to the public defender before you change your plea.”

A man in jail was charged with walking out and not setting up his time payment. He pled no contest.

“You owe $749. Why did you walk out and not set up the payments?”

“Honestly….”

“Honestly? I want you to be truthful with me!”

“I had no place to go. I want some help.”

“We’ll call the mission. If they will take you, I will sentence you to go there. Have a seat.”

“That’s perfect.”

A man in jail was charged with driving on suspended and pled guilty.

“You have a terrible record in Shelby County.”

“Not that I know of.”

“I’m looking at your record now. $395 plus court costs and five days jail.”

A woman in the courtroom was charged with no child restraint and driving on suspended.

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

“One month.”

“How do you plead?”

“Guilty to both charges.”

“What is it going to take to get your license back?”

“A large reinstatement fee.” “$295 plus court costs and two days house arrest. I’ll dismiss the child restraint. If you bring your license back in 30 days I’ll drop $100 off today’s fine.”

A woman in court charged with speeding pled guilty.

“You must have gotten this ticket in a school zone.”

“I’m not from here so I’m not sure if it was a school zone.”

“Pay $135 total today and I’ll keep it off your record.” A man charged with possession of a controlled substance, drug paraphernalia and driving on suspended pled guilty to all charges.

“Do you have a job?”

“Yes. I’ve been there two years.”

“Do you have a family?”

“Yes. Brothers and sisters.” “Do you have children?”

“No.”

“Have you ever been to rehab?”

“No.”

“$500 plus court costs, one year suspended to six months probation on the drug charges. $295 plus court costs and four days house arrest on the driving on suspended. I’ll dismiss the drug charges if you do the probation. I’ll see you Sept. 19th for a review.”

By the Evening Times News Staff