‘ Isn’t it about time you became more than a girlfriend?’

‘ Isn’t it about time you became more than a girlfriend?’

Lovebirds, jailbirds — Judge Thorne brings people together

news@theeveningtimes.com “I have good news for you… 98 percent of you will go home today,” said Judge Fred Thorne of the West Memphis District court on Friday. “Plead no contest if you want to explain your case today. Tell me what you want to tell me, and get it off your chest.”

Aman and woman in jail were called up together. To the man Judge Thorne asked, “how do you plead to loitering?”

“No contest.”

And to the woman, he asked, “How do you plead to loitering and obstruction of justice?”

“No contest to both charges.”

“What were y’all doing at the Iron Skillet?”

“I was getting water and I asked someone for a cigarette. Me and the lady were just talking,” said the woman.

“$105 plus court costs each.”

A man in jail was called up.

“He pled not guilty but didn’t show up for his trial,” said the court clerk.

“Do you want to change your plea?” asked Judge Thorne.

“Yes, to no contest.”

“How do you plead to theft?” “No contest.”

“Failure to appear?”

“Guilty.”

“Why didn’t you come to court?”

“I was having a hard time and my mom was in the hospital.”

“Do you realize how many times I hear of a mother in the hospital when you are supposed to come to court? Why did you get caught with two welders? Were you going to use those to pay your mother’s hospital bill? $500 plus court costs and 30 days on the theft. $500 plus 45 days on the failure to appear.”

A woman’s name was called assuming she was in jail. She came forward in the courtroom. “Did you bond out?”

“Yes.”

How do you plead to domestic battery?”

“No contest.”

“You beat up on a man?”

“He had a busted lip. I just hit him with my hand.”

“Do you have children?”

“Yes.”

“Where were they?”

“In the other room. They didn’t see us. Me and him have been together eight years.”

“It doesn’t matter that the children were in the other room. It still affects them.”

“I know.”

“$400 plus court costs, and one year suspended to six months probation. I want you to go to parenting class. There will be a review on your case August 5th. If this man doesn’t do right he needs to hit the door. If you do what you are told, you can be home free and if you don’t, I’ll hit a home run.”

A woman in jail charged with trespassing pled guilty.

“How do you know this woman?”

“I was living with her.”

“Do you realize you can get up to 90 days jail? How much should I give you?”

“Whatever you think, Judge.” “Jail, try and hook her up with the women’s shelter. She needs a place to stay.”

“Judge, I’d rather just stay in jail,” said the woman in jail.”

A man in jail charged with public intoxication and loitering pled no contest to both charges. “I was celebrating a little bit. I’m supposed to be starting work at Hino today.”

“Where do you live,” asked Judge Thorne.

“I stay with my auntie.”

“I’ll dismiss the public intoxication. Pay $250 plus court costs on the loitering. Pay it and get to work.”

A woman in jail was asked by Judge Thorne, “Did you sign up on the program?”

“Yes, sir.”

“How do you plead to no insurance?”

“No contest.”

“Failure to appear in court?”

“No contest.”

“Are you going to stay in jail and do the program? After 60 days, I’ll let you out if you are doing good. Who is the father of your baby?”

“A man here in the jail.”

“I always say kids and pets can’t pick their parents. The people you hang out with are terrible. I’ll dismiss the failure to appear. $395 plus costs on the no insurance. Do your 60 days and I’ll let you out.”

A man in jail owed $850 and pled no contest to his failure to pay. He pled no contest on no insurance and driving on suspended.

A woman in the courtroom stood up for him.

“Are you going to pay his fine? How much money do you have?”

“I have $600. It’s his money.” “You two aren’t legally married are you?”

“No, sir.”

“Does he work?” “Yes. He has been on the job for six months.”

“Pay $600 today and I’ll set up on a new time payment. How long have you been together?”

“Six years.”

“Isn’t it about time you became more than a girlfriend?” “No,” said the woman.

“Yes,” said the man in jail.

“$395 plus court costs on the insurance and $500 plus court costs on the driving on suspended and 30 days house arrest.

A man who pled not guilty to his charge was asked by Judge Thorne, “When is the last time I saw you?”

“Yesterday.”

“I look forward to seeing you again on the 17th.”

A woman charged with disorderly conduct asked the judge for time to hire a lawyer.

“I called Bully but I couldn’t get him. I need time to get in touch with him.”

“Ma’am when you are in my courtroom you will refer to his as ‘Mr. Donaldson.’ Do you realize you should show a little respect?”

“He’s a family friend.”

A woman charged with loitering pled no contest.

“You went into a vacant house and ran out the back door? Who were you with?”

“With some guys I kinda know.”

“Does she get a check?” Judge Thorne asked of a lady with her.

“Yes, sir.”

“One jumped through a glass window? If you do this again I’ll put you in jail. Your grandmother and your aunt love you, but I don’t! I’ll dismiss it this time. Next time it will be jail time.”

Judge Fred Thorne

By the Evening Times News Staff