Trial in the Bush

Since the last post was about the joy of my "bush" or extra rural duties I thought I'd write another post about that. Probably has more to do with the fact that I'm just getting back from a week out there in trial. Next time I'll remember to take a camera because it really is beautiful.

Well my calender for the week had over 100 cases. Although it seems like cases never really move but are only continued in an endless stack through to eternity, we resolved (in one way, shape or form) just over 30. Several were set for trial.

In theory I should be the one that puts my foot down and puts a stop to all those needless continuances that defense attorneys ask for. I highly suspect they hope that they can continue the cases out so long that all the victims and witnesses die and the police are retired and in Florida. But occasionally they will get a client who has a borderline personality (ie. a*#hole). This client will know his rights and that he is wrongfully accused etc. Fortunately these are often the most clearly guilty people.

Without getting into details...this one was scaring young teens and preteens in the town by being very vulgar, propositioning and groping them too. Bring it on I said.

Well it really isn't the most fun staying in a hotel. Plus I really am a family guy and miss them when I'm gone for any amount of time. Also, this ain't a resort you know. It's basically a Super 8 and is considered pretty darn fancy. (No offense Super 8) So there is my home for awhile and I'm 300 miles away from my real home. I forgot to mention that. 300 miles away.

Well I realized that I have about 14 witnesses to get in line for trial. I have a day and half. They are all kids and are all in school and their parents work. I have no help by way of a secretary or paralegal. And to top it all off...these girls don't want to testify. So I spend the time I have meeting with kids and their parents to reassure both. I arrange meetings at houses and restaurants and my office. Anyplace. I beg people. I threaten people (you have a court order). I guilt people (basically "I hope you're happy when you read that he's raped some kid this time!"). Oh and one of my witnesses was in jail - 450 miles away.

It all worked. These kids were all brave. They were amazing. I saw one 15 year old girl destroy a veteran defense attorney. I saw these kids sit in front of this scary man, literally 15-20 ft away and have to point him out and say these things in front of strangers. Even worse sometimes is that because this is such a small community, a lot of the jurors were not strangers to these kids.

The jury was out for about an hour. That's fast for a 10 count case where one is a sexual assault. It is their community and they spoke for it. The system; boring, often unfair, majorly unrealistic, painful, scary and humiliating...worked. Again. It's not perfect but neither are people.