‘Your children deserve better than they are getting right now’

‘Your children deserve better than they are getting right now’

Judge Thorne has stern warning for woman charged with theft

news@theeveningtimes.com

“I just got home from vacation and the jail is full,” said Judge Fred Thorne of West Memphis District Court on Monday.

“I have to call up the felonies first.” A woman in jail with a felony possession of meth was asked, “Where do you live?”

“West Memphis.”

“Do you have a job?”

“Nope.”

“Who supports you?”

“My grandma.”

“Do you have any children?”

“No, sir.”

“Talk to the public defender.”

A man with a felony charge of possession of meth or cocaine was asked, “How long has it been since I’ve seen you?”

“Four months.”

“Do you have another felony charge pending?”

“I’m on probation now.”

“How much do you make a week?”

“$500.”

“Are they going to revoke your probation?”

“Yes.”

“Talk to the public defender.”

The next man was asked where he lived.

“Earle.”

“Do you have prior felonies?”

“Yes I do.”

“Are you employed?”

“No, sir.”

“How are you supported?” “My grandfather.”

“If a meteorite hits the earth and kills all the grandparents, a lot of y’all will be in trouble.”

“I want to take her charge.”

“The person arrested with you?”

“Yes.”

“I’ll set your bond today and you can see about taking her charge in circuit court.”

A woman with a possession of meth was asked where she lived.

“With my son in Horseshoe Lake.” “Are you employed?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Where?”“At a new cafe that is opening.”

The woman was laughing.

“Do you understand you are in trouble?”

“I was trying to get a ride when I was arrested.”

“See the public defender.”

Two men were charged with breaking and entering were arrested at the same time.

“Where do you live?”

“Parkin,” answered one.

“Jonesboro,” answered the other one.

“Do you work?”

“I work as a volunteer at the fire department.”

“When was the last time you went to a fire?”

“Two weeks ago.”

The other man said he was a self employed diesel mechanic.

“Do you work at another job?”

“Yes. I work for the road department.”

“How much do you make?”

“$1400 a month. I bring home $700 every two weeks or so.”

“The public defender has everyone else. Y’all might as well talk to him too.”

A man in jail was charged with criminal trespass at the dog track and pled guilty.

“You were banned from the dog track for 24 hours for their no tolerance policy about sleeping at the track. Do you have a job?”

“I don’t work.”

“Jail, let him out at noon.” A man charged with theft at Citi Trends had his mother in the courtroom.

“He has a mental disorder,” said the mother.

“That doesn’t give him the right to steal. See the public defender.”A man charged with public intoxication, disorderly conduct and obstruction of justice pled no contest to all charges.

“How much had you had to drink?”

“I just popped a bottle.”

“Why did you curse the police officer?”

“I didn’t not curse them.

I was going to my baby momma’s apartment.”

“$500 plus court costs on the disorderly. I’ll dismiss the public intoxication and the obstruction.”

A man charged with driving on suspended pled guilty.

“You have terrible driving record. You have had 10 driving on suspendeds.

$500 plus court costs and 15 days jail.”

“I am on dialysis. What do I do?”

“Talk to the jail people and see what they can work out.”A man in jail was charged with driving on suspended, no insurance and possession of marijuana. He pled guilty to all charges.

“How old are you?”

“26.”

“What are you doing with your life?”

“I’m a tattoo artist.”

“$395 plus court costs and two days jail on the driving on suspended. $295 plus court costs on the insurance and $500 plus court costs on the possession. That will include six months probation.”

A woman charged with public intoxication, disorderly conduct and criminal trespass pled no contest to all charges.

“Who is this other woman?”

“I am in rehab. She stole my phone.”

“Were you drunk?”

“You know I don’t drink.

I’m a drug addict. I’m supposed to get my daughter.”

“The report says you tried to stab the man across the street.”

“I did not. He is my cousin. I wouldn’t stab him. I’m supposed to go into Harbor House.”

“$500 plus court costs and six months suspended.

Sign a no contact order before you leave the jail. I will also need a report from Harbor House.”

A woman with a theft charge pled no contest.

“You stole a phone case and a dog leash and a few other things from Walmart.

Why did you do it?”

“I didn’t have the money and it was my son’s birthday.”

“You can pay $500 or five days jail.”

The woman had to think about it a few seconds then said, “Do I get credit for the time already in jail?”

“Yes. But I have to say this, you are talking about your children and your children deserve better than they are getting right now.”

By the Evening Times News Staff