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Pre-sentencing

Interview with Bruce, Jen, Crystal, Allison and Deanne

JM: Tell us about the pre-sentencing process:
Bruce: From the time I received the summons to appear that had said I was indicted, the time from the initial court date to sentencing was about one year. We had several court dates where motions were filed and continuances were granted. Before my actual sentencing, I met with a clerk who interviewed me and reccommended a sentence...I also had an profile done on my own expense that the judge considered as well.
Jen: My case took appx 10 months before I went for my final sentencing, I stayed out of jail until my sentencing date but had many court appearances before then. The pre sentencing involved a lot of going over pleas, submitting to DNA testing at different locations, meetings with attorney, and reporting to pre sententing probation as well
Crystal: From the date of the initial arrest the sentencing was pushed off for 5 months later. I had a lawyer who took care of all the paperwork and was the one who mainly communicated to the judges. I am not exactly sure how he was able to push the sentencing off for so many months since I know people who have not had lawyers and it seemed to go to court right away.
Allison: I was on probation and I violated so because I was already sentenced it was a real short process when u already bren sentenced u no how long u will do unless u have a new charge .. I didnt havr a new charge so it was the same .
Deanne: When I was arrested, I was given a citation which had a court date and time. I went to court for the arraignment, heard the facts and evidence against me and then made my plea. I pled guilty for extreme DUI and was then sentenced. Although, the best part was that I was able to set-up when I wanted to do my jail time and also when and what I could pay for the fines/fees.

JM: Did you have police stop by your house for questioning? If not please give us details on how you came to be arrested.
Bruce: The police did not stop by my house. I received a summons that had said I had been indicted and had to appear on whatever the date was or that an arrest warrant would be issued for me. I appeared on the date listed, with my attorney and pled no contest to the charges.
Jen: I was arrested and taken for questioning by Glendale detectives, after hours of questioning I was held for two days and released on OR with a follow up court date to follow, this was the first of many court dates and months of legal problems, money, and issues to come during the next ten months
Crystal: No. i was pulled over in April of 2009 for a DUI and taken to a office for questioning. it was just me and two other police officers and no one else seemed to be in the building - if I recall they actually had to unlock the building for us to go inside. They filled out the paperwork there and took my blood. I was dropped off at my house after and my roommate had to sign for me that I would not leave her presence. In June 2009 i was pulled over for another DUI and taken to a DUI task van with multiple other offenders. One officer processed my intake and then I was released in a lot where multiple cabs were waiting. I had no money so the cab driver drove me home for free.
Allison: The cops came looking for for me at home and found me then took me to jail they didnt question any one just took me to booking.i was already found guilty because I violated probation.i already new my sentence because it was deffered deffered sentence that a judge gave me from befor.
Deanne: No. I was arrested for DUI in which they pulled me over for excessive speed and then asked if I was impaired because the officer smelled alcohol on my breath. The officer then asked me to take a breathalyzer test, which I refused. Therefore, the officer then said I was being arrested and taken to hospital to give blood sample.

JM: What was court like? Please give as many details as you recall.
Bruce: Court was definately intimidating. I had never been in a situation like this before. In front of the judge's raised platform was a podium and two tables behind that...one for the prosecution and another for the defense. To our left was a jury box, and behind us was the seating for the public to watch
Jen: Scary and very formal, unless being directed by what your attorney what is happening it would be almost impossible to understand what is going on and what is being said.Your attorney usually lets you know before hand. When in court its like a different world is there and it is very real and scary.
Crystal: The Mesa court I attended was very quick and seemed to run quite smoothly. The judge was friendly and I did speak to him directly in court. My lawyer did all the talking in the Tempe court. He ended up going to speak with the judge in his office to get a deal and combine the sentencing of both DUI charges. The Mesa court operated much quicker than the Tempe court and it was easier to navigate.
Allison: Well court was easy due to the fact I new my sentencing. I had to wait for hours in a very cold tiny room,when I was finally called they took me to a little room where they ask if I have a job and where I live who live with me then court n rhe judge say guilty.
Deanne: Casual. I went to the court room where there were several other people as well. Sat down, waited for the prosecutor and judge to come in and then call your name. Once name was called, the prosecutor states the charge and facts and then the judge asks for your plea. I pleaded guilty and then was sentenced. Right after that in another room at the court, I had to speak with someone to schedule my jail time and to set up a payment plan for the fines/fees.

JM: What were your original charges? What did you end up being convicted of?
Bruce: I was charged with seven counts. Fraudulent Schemes and Artifices, Embezzlement, Insurance Fraud (2 counts), Forgery (2 counts)...all were felonies to some degree or another...I ended up with a plea deal to plead guilty to one count of Fraudulent Schemes and Artifices (Felony), which I did and that is what the final charge was.
Jen: Armed robbery with a dangerous weapon Grand theft auto 2 counts of assault with injury breaking and entry I was convicted of armed robbery with a non dangerous weapon and assult
Crystal: In April I was charged with an extreme DUI and it was dropped to a DUI. In June I was charged with an extreme DUI and that was the conviction as well. In the second case I had a driving in the bike lane charge and another smaller offense that my lawyer was able to get dismissed.
Allison: Possesion of dangerous drugs and marijuana poss parafanilia poss convicted of marijana poss
Deanne: My original Charges were excessive speed and driving impaired or under the influence of alcohol (.08 BAC or below). I was convicted of an Extreme DUI (BAC .08 or above)

Read about sentencing in the Tent City Jail