JM: Tell us about the pre-sentencing process: Mary: The deputies take you to the jail where there is
a magistrate on duty at all times. They take the
paper work of the charges and you stand before
the magistrate. The magistrate looks at the
computer which i gather as my history on failure
to appears and what my address is and the
situation, plus the attitude that I had when
arrested to give me a bond. My bond was 10,000.
They take you to an open window desk that is in
a wall on a halway. There are cells with bars
for holding. They ask you what sizen you wear
take any loose property and place it into sealed
bags with you signing them as well as them. you
take the jumpsuit and go to one of the nasty
holding cells with a metal toilet they are with
you because they are going to search. At that
time, I was nervous I had my paraphernelia and
lighters inside of my bra and was trying to hide
them. Which, I did and have done many times
while being searched. they let me keep my bra
because it was white. my panties were not so
they took them and put them with my clothing to
be stored in that room area. Then if you are
acting out you are walked to a back hall not far
from there to be placed in segregation(solitary
confinement) there are 5 to 7 cells with dark
green 6ft mats , 2 sheets, 1 towel, 1 wash cloth
and a ziploc packet with toothpaste, comb, bar
of hotel soap, and a stick of clear deoderant
(which does not work). you dont have bars in
those rooms its a huge metal door with a eye
level small window, and a tray slot that is only
open during meal times. there is a toilet in
there also. got a roomate at one point who slept
on the floor. but was out of there in a couple
of days. I stayed in there for a little over a
week to observe my behavior and withdrawals off
of the drug I was using. Day in and Day out all
you hear is echos of everything. somebody
moaning yelling or beating on the door. or being
wrestled with. thats all you can do in that
area is listen. The walls are cement blocks and
the bed is attached to the wall and is metal
with the mat on it.
JM: Did you have police stop by your house for questioning? If not please give us details on how you came to be arrested. Mary: No police stopped by the house. I was in
Norman, Nc and I had been using. I was walking
from a dope deal that I had just made with local
dealer. It was night time but the stores were
still open in the area. After I got my drugs, I
put them in my mouth. and proceeded to walk out
of the area toward the rural area.(all of it is
rural) but I was an addict that could not wait.
I walked ALOT. After I FINALLY do get my drugs I
wanted to get high right then. Well I took my
paraphenelia out and used one of the drugs that
I had. Which was crazy because I was walking in
the middle of the road doing it. When I did it I
turned around and looked behind me and 2
deputies in 2 cars were turning down the street
behind me. They rushed behind me with blue
lights and jumped out of the car. The
paraphernelia that I had I hid in my bra knowing
that they were male and could not search me. BUT
I still had the other drug in my mouth and on
top of that I had gotten sloppy from using and
had some of the drug pieces around my mouth.
They knew that it was in mouth and BOTH OF THEM
choked me with a stranglatory move until I spit
it out. It was the most awful feeling being
hurt by them. They retrieved the drug off the
ground and charged me with obstruct/delay and
possession. I was high so I cussed and was very
billigerent. They took me to the jail to be seen
in front of the magistrate.
JM: What was court like? Please give as many details as you recall. Mary: It was an old courtroom. The deputies actually
retrieve your when they are ready for you and
bring you to an extremely nasty holding cell.
When I entered the courtroom, it was from a
private side door that only inmates enter and
you are in a holding box directly to the right
of the judge. They ask if you would like
representation of a court appointed lawyer, read
your rights, and then let you know what the
specific charges are. It is very nerve racking
with someone else being in control of your life.
They change your bond from the original bond
that you received when admitted into the jail by
the magistrate and base it on the charge and
your record. The District Attorney always adds
to this speaking about what they would like to
see happen during this arraignment. You as the
defendent can speak to judge per request, but it
really has no bearing on what THEY decide to be
your bond and when your court date will be. They
give you the name of your lawyer and the way to
contact him. Then you are taken back to the
holding cell to be walked back to the jail where
you are to stay until you make bond or next
court date
JM: What were your original charges? What did you end up being convicted of? Mary: Ortiginal charges were Felony Possesion of
Cocaine, Resist/obstruct/Delay.
My conviction was dropped to drug paraphernelia
and resist. no felonies