JM: Tell us about the pre-sentencing process: Stacy: I had to pick a date I was going to check myself
in for second DUI and do 2 weeks. Ron: Well, ultimately I never even got sentanced. But for the 64 days I
was awaiting sentancing before the charges were dropped, the
experience was a confusing one. I had a court video conference
about a week in where they stated the charges against me and
stated what my bail was. Then maybe a week later I had another
court date where I was to plead guilty or not guilty. I plead not
guilty and a trial court date was set 60 days out. Tom: I was screened by the prison psychologist with the
questions related to my mental history, my
physical history, my job history, my financial
history, and my criminal background history. After
that I was escorted by a prison guard to the
waiting room to be handcuffed and chained before I
came out to the court.
JM: Did you have police stop by your house for questioning? If not please give us details on how you came to be arrested. Stacy: No I did not. Ron: Yes. My mother called the police and about 10 minutes later they
showed up to question what the problem was. My mother stated I
was holding her against her will in the basement and I denied this
claim. They stated that I was to be arrested and proceeded to pat
down and cuff me. Tom: Yes, the police came in unannounced, pulled the
guns on me, didn't provide sign language
interpreters to communicate with me due ot my
deafness, didn't read me my Miranda's right, was
cuffed, and went to Adams CO Jail in a police suv.
They also refused to tell me the charges.
JM: What was court like? Please give as many details as you recall. Stacy: I don't remember Ron: For one, before even leaving the actual jail, all inmates get
cuffed on the hands and the ankles. We rode in a bus with
plastic seats to the courthouse and were led into a back entrance
single file after which we went straight into a holding cell where
we waited for hours until being taken in groups to another cell
adjacent to the court room. Brought into the room one by one we
spoke to the DA or Public Defender or some law official. We were
told our options (plea bargain or plead not guilty, etc.) and led to
the podium before the judge to plead guilty or not guilty. After
which we were led to another group holding cell to await our
return to Adams County D.F. in a van. Tom: It was the typical court with the judge in the
back of the court. The benches for the lawyers to
seated on the sides. There's the two bench for a
prosecutor and a defense lawyer. As well as the
door on a side for the police to stand by since
it's the access for the inmates to come out, or
come back in. There's also the benches for the
public to watch the court.
JM: What were your original charges? What did you end up being convicted of? Ron: False Imprisonment and the charges ended up being dropped. Tom: Attempted sexual assault on a minor.