Kings County Jail

Pre-sentencing

Interview with Ron and Tiffany


JM: Tell us about the pre-sentencing process:
Ron: pre-sentencing is loke this you get a court date w/time date court # etc.. you go find that court,then you go thru metal detectors & rent-a- cops,& (we have no funding??) you look-up your name on a court docket,you go in give your name to the bailif,so that he can log you as present .so you don,t gat a bench warrent issued,then you wait for your name to be called some courts go alphabiticly,some go by order of apperance or if you have an attornney,you go first..you get a public defender known as a pretender defender,because they make deals with your case in faver of another case for some one else based on evidence & probable conviction% you then go before the judge or majystraight,& plead not guilty to get a better deal,very crowded court rooms & it will take all day..tip if you see an attorney sitting around doing nothing & your in a hurry over up 20.00 bucks to them to get your file pulled up in fronf of everyone else so you can leave..
Tiffany: Well, I found out there was a bench warrant for my arrest when I mailed the courthouse my new change of address. I found a failure to appear with a $25000 bench warrant. I live in another city and and as soon as I could afford to travel there, I did. I spoke to the Courthouse front desk, they verified with me they made the mistake and sent the notice to appear to the wrong address. Then they had me speak to a deputy and I know he was only during his job, he saw the bail amount and he had the right to arrest me on the spot.

JM: Did you have police stop by your house for questioning?
Ron: yes they have stopped by before looking for me and asking questions about the related offense like what time would you say that happened & did you see for your self general questions,do you know were they are now?? are you sure it was them ??or were the subject might go or stay / be at later..please call us with any info
Tiffany: No.

JM: What was your court appearance like?
Ron: very stressful i was very nervess & didn,t really wan,t to be there, in my opinion the state sees a person as guilty until proven innocent not the other way around like it should be your looked at like your a law breaker. very degradingno ones case is looked at with compassion it,s all done to get it over with as quick as possible now..
Tiffany: The deputy walked me into the courtroom in session, had me seat in the juror section. I sat there for 3 hours watching other court cases till they moved me to a holding area.