The Court Experience

There were serveral court appearances overalll. But I only needed to be there at the first and the last one apparently. Technically on the first one, I showed up, but never saw the inside of the courtroom. It was however the first time I met my attorney face to face, after having mutliple phone conversations.

I showed up at my first hearing, checked in and waited outside the courtroom along with many other nervous and anxious "criminals".

My appointment was for 8:30am. My attorney found me a little after 9am and told me that she talked to the prosecutor and they had an initial offer. I was a a little taken aback. I thought this was just an arraignment or preliminary meeting in front of the judge.

Anyways, she was excited there was an offer already and assured me she'd fight for some better terms. Ok, fine. Now what?

The next appearance was scheduled for about a month later. I didn't have to appear but during that time I needed to make sure I took care of the Substance Abuse Evaluation and maybe one DWI education training course, to show initiative that I was serious about rehabilitating. Which I was, but I needed to show it on paper. This way my attorney can show the prosecutor in good faith, that I was learning my experience. So I did my part and completed whatever was suggested.

Next month came and went, nothing really happened. Next court date was set again for another month, and this went on for about 4 months. Finally there a plea deal and my lawyer thought it was a good one and I should consider it.

I don't know what's good or bad. No jailtime? Ok that's good. Beyond that, community service, ac ouple of classes, court costs, and an interlock device in my car, which seemed unavoidable. Even at my BAC, which was .12 I thought that part was harsh but she said it was standard. I had heard that .15 and above, it was standard but ok. Fine. Who am I to argue with a professional.

So it was set, my court date in May 2024 was where I would finalize everything. At this date, I actually got inside the courtroom and in front of the judge for the first time. He read the terms of my plea and asked if I agreed. I did. Sure, i guess. Just get this over with, I thought.

So that's it. After about 5 minutes inside the courtroom, I said goodbye to my attorney, then went to another area to pay the court costs and another area to get my probation officer appointment scheduled. Then left.

Gotta love the system.