Real Life Court

Well, I spent today in a North Georgia courtroom for misdemeanors.  No, I wasn’t the miscreant.  But it certainly was educational!

There was quite a cast of characters.  First, we’ve got Ms. Meth.  OK, I don’t know that for a fact, but she sported all of the symptoms you find on www.methproject.org.  (Check out the photo gallery.)  My friend said it was killing her not to wash the woman’s hair, but really, touching it may have given her cooties.  I thought it was also a bit telling that when Ms. Meth took her baby out of the room she stopped and dope-slapped the baby-daddy so hard the entire courtroom snickered.  (And HE was the one in trouble.)

Then we had Mr. Loser Times 12.  He could not have been even 25 years old, but had 12 offenses listed today.  My friend and I started trying to guess what they were:

1.      DUI

2.      Resisting Arrest

3.      Drunk and Disorderly

4.      Driving without a license

5.      Driving without proof of insurance

6.      Speeding

7.      Possession

8.      Illegal turn

9.      Really ugly haircut

10.   Even uglier clothes

11.   Being a loser in general

12.   Failure to be spayed/neutered (trust me, this guy shouldn’t breed.)

There was a fashion statement—a man dressed in three different plaid flannels (pants and two shirts).  I’m pretty sure they were really his jim-jams.

I’m pleased to say that everyone actually had shoes on, but number of tattoos far exceeded the number of teeth in that rather motley crew.

The court bailiff finally had to ask several men to remove their hats and then had to remind people that food and drink weren’t allowed in the courtroom. The two babies weren’t allowed either, but he kind of gave them a pass as long as they were quiet.

As we left I asked the Public Defender if folks always looked that bad.  He said yes.

You know, I realize that no one wants to appear in court, but, please, folks, have a little respect for the system.  I don’t always agree with politicians, but I believe in respecting the office.   I recall when a US President died and my father was upset about all the fuss.  I reminded him that he might not have liked the man, but the position deserved respect.

I wish I’d been able to hear more of what was said in the courtroom.  Despite what you see on TV, courtrooms are pretty noisy.   A couple of men said they had no idea of why they were even there—including Mr. Loser Times 12!    I’m pretty sure the bailiff filled him in later…

Do you have any court stories to report?  Let me know!

PS—I would have posted this a week and a half ago when it happened—but someone in the court gave me the flu!! (Note: get flu shots.  Being sick wasn’t pretty.)