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Pre-sentencing

Interview with Clayton, Darryl and Kristofer

JM: Tell us about the pre-sentencing process:
Clayton: i stayed in a holding cell for 2 days before seeing the judge
Darryl: I sat in jail until it was worked out . no charges filed . I was in the main jail and then moved to Delainy Hall which is a rehab/program type setting ..you could smoke , wear your own close . You had counseling sessions , aa and na meetings . Not many people took it serious .
Kristofer: I had a public defender. Pre-sentencing was just my lawyer trying to cut the best deal he would with the proesecutor to give me the least amount of time behind bars. there were a lot of post-ponements and delays but i did get credit for that time i was already sitting in jail waiting for official sentencing.d

JM: Did you have police stop by your house for questioning? If not please give us details on how you came to be arrested.
Clayton: no, i was drinking in public
Darryl: Back on the days when my life was a haze and I drank too much . My wife asked me to leave shortly after having our daughter . I wasnt physical but I yelled alot ..so I really dont blame . She took out a restraining order and I came back the next night . It was 13 degrees outside , I had no car , no money and I dont know anyone in NJ . It was a shitty situation .
Kristofer: I was arrested for selling drugs. I made a drug deal at the usual spot i would sell at and right after i made the deal a couple of cop cars came out of no where, one stopped me and the other stopped the guy i had just sold to.

JM: What was court like? Please give as many details as you recall.
Clayton: i sat for about an hour in court til i was called then the da and my lawyer spoke to the judege .
Darryl: I went to court once by video and then twice by actually being taken to the court room . It sucked. My daughter was a month old and I had to see her in that situation . My wife lied through her teeth but there was nothing I could do.
Kristofer: court was a bunch of b.s. I was in handcuffs and ankle cuffs like i was a mass murderer. i sat in and watched several other people go before me, then when it was my turn, the deal had already been made. So i was sworn in and then pled guilty to the deal already worked out by my lawyer.

JM: What were your original charges? What did you end up being convicted of?
Clayton: i was charged with a quality of life crime
Darryl: Violation of a restraining order . No charges were filed . I was released .
Kristofer: my original charges were possession of cocaine with intent to distribute felony over 50 grams. I ended up pleading guilty to possession of cocaine with intent to distribute under 5 grams.

Read about sentencing in the Essex County Jail