‘ What do you have to tell me?’

‘ What do you have to tell me?’

Defendants plead their cases in Municipal Court

news@theeveningtimes.com

“I can see that we have some jail cases in the courtroom. I was here Friday and did all the jail cases, now there are 14 in jail,” said Judge Fred Thorne at West Memphis Municipal Court on Monday.

A man in the courtroom was charged with theft. He pled no contest.

“Are you from Wisconsin?”

“Yes.”

His father who stood up with him said, “We are going to straighten him out.”

“I don’t like people coming through here committing theft. $250 plus court costs and one year suspended.”

A man in jail charged with driving on a suspended license pled no contest.

“Why is your license suspended?”

“From a DWI two years ago.”

“$375 plus court costs and two days jail. Do you want jail or house arrest?”

“Don’t make no difference.”

“Okay, two days jail.”

A man in jail on domestic battery pled no contest.

“Domestic battery can re-

Judge Fred Thorne sult, if you are found guilty, in you not being able to carry a firearm.”

“I didn’t have a firearm.”

“I said if you are found guilty you will not be allowed to carry a firearm.”

“I believe my wife is in there to drop the charges.”

“She can’t drop the charges.”

The wife came forward.

“How long have you been married?”

“Five years.”

“Is he on parole out of Texas?”

“Yes.”

“Why were you here?”

“We were here for a casino tournament at Southland.”

“Ma’am, life is too short for this. He threatened to kill you.”

“It was a misunderstanding,” said the man in jail.

“A threat to kill someone is no misunderstanding.

$500 plus court costs and five days jail.”

A man in jail was charged with driving on suspended.

He pled guilty. His mother was in the courtroom.

“He needs help,” said the mother. “A man at a hospital has talked to him and I’m going to try to get him in somewhere.”

“Mother, be back here next Monday and bring me proof that you have him in treatment. If he is not in treatment, bring him with you. If I need to make a firm believer out of him, I will. $500 plus court costs and 90 days suspended to 2 days house arrest. Be back here next Monday!”

A young woman came forward when her name was called.

“How do you pled to rearending someone?”

“Guilty.”

“Is that what you want to plead?”

“Yes. Guilty.”

“What kind of grades do you make?”

“All A’s.”

“Where?”

“West Memphis High School. I am a junior.”

“What do you plan on doing after high school?”

“Going to college.”

“You usually go to college after high school. What do you plan to do?”

“I’m not sure yet.”

“What do you have to tell me?”

“It was raining. The lady in front of me went to make a turn to get into a parking space but she stopped.”

To her father Judge Thorne said, “You have two options. She can pay court costs and go to driver’s school or four hours community service and driver’s school. Court costs are about $75.”

The young lady started to say something but Judge Thorne said, “No, your father

decides.”

“We’ll pay the court costs and driver’s school.”

A young man came forward.

“Did you do your community

service?”

“He is here today for new

charges,” said the city attorney.

“That is not good. How do you plead to careless driving?”

“No contest.”

“And no child restraint?”

“No contest.”

“How old are you?”

“18.”

“How old are the kids?”

“One or two, I don’t know.”

“Whose kids are they?”

“My girlfriend’s cousin.”

“Grandma, what is going on here?”

By the Evening Times News Staff