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Pre-sentencing

Interview with Lisa, Bill, Ron, Cindi and Holly

JM: Tell us about the pre-sentencing process:
Lisa: I was arrested for a DUI on July 28, 2002. Due to the many stresses in my life, I chose to hire an attorney which was a waste of my money and his intervention slowed me down. He challenged the breatholizer test which I did not understand at all. It wasn't going to come out any different and I was over the legal limit. After that process was denied, my court date was set for 12/6/02. It was almost six months after the ticket. I went to the courtroom, and waited for my turn. It was my second DUI and I pled guilty. I was taken from the courtroom in handcuffs to spend the weekend in jail. The officers were professional and polite.
Bill: Convicted of DUI, was taken to jail directly after found guilty.
Ron: I had had two Failure to Appears(FTA) on a Failure to perform duties of a driver(hit and run) x2. So pretty much anything that disobeys a judge they hate. Probation violation, FTA's, no contact orders, you will do time. I was arraigned on my charge via video court the day after arriving, and had to stay 31 days for my eventual 48 hour sentence.
Cindi: Court took forever, they kept resetting my courtdate. The DA didn't file the correct paperwork and then things kept getting set over and set over.But when things were all in order finally it went rather quickly and there were no suprises. I got convicted and sentenced at the same time.
Holly: I was given a court date and was told to appear before the judge for my sentencing on the given date. I was also given a court appointed attorney that would handle my case. I remained incarcerated at the clackamas county jail and wasn't released during the pre-sentencing process and was later given credit for time served during this time.

JM: Did you have police stop by your house for questioning? If not please give us details on how you came to be arrested.
Lisa: No because I was on the road. I did refuse the FSB tests and they made me take them anyway. I made it a point to call the arresting officer after that night and thank him for not letting me kill anyone.
Bill: no
Ron: This was such a delight. Somebody turned me in. I suspect it was my previous landlord who developed an extremely obsessive and creepy crush on my girlfriend. I was walking back home from the bar, with her, about to go drink a little, and just hang out, when all of a sudden three flash lights shine on me as I am about to enter my basement, a dog comes running at me, and two tasers are pointed in my direction. I am told to freeze and put my hands up, I complied was quickly arrested.
Cindi: They stopped by 5 years ago, and told me to look for warrants. I checked for warrants for 6 months and there were never any so I stopped looking. And then the arrested me last January, so apparently they finally issued one. It was weird because I had never moved so I am not sure why it took them so long to arrest me. It was crazy how long it took.
Holly: Police did not stop by my house for questioning. I was in a facility for substance abuse in washington county and recieved a probation violation for drinking alcohol outside of the facility while on a pass and was arrested in washington county and was transferred to the clackamas county jail where I was then housed.

JM: What was court like? Please give as many details as you recall.
Lisa: The court was full of well-dressed attorneys, an insightful judge and went quickly and easily. The embarrassment is over by the time the criminal gets to court. From that point forward, it is a matter of following the orders and getting OUT of the legal system.
Bill: 6-person jury over 2-days to review the evidence. They found me guilty.
Ron: I had a friendly judge, so I was lucky in that regard. But the process of actually going to court was long, and embarrassing. I was pulled from my cellblock 3.5 hrs before my court time. To be put in a intake like cell. (Nothing but cement benches) While they gathered all other people for court. Though there were more deputy's then criminals, as each corner you took there was another one to monitor and lead the way. So after leaving the intake, we kneel on a steel bench, where they restrain both are feet together, and put handcuffs on us. We are then chain ganged into groups of up to 4, and lead to a van. We get in the van, and of course, the officers drive like crazy to the courthouse, we are sliding around every where. But it was fun, as we got to listen to music, and it gave us something to laugh about. The last part, was the humiliation. The courthouse and city hall are one in the same. And they march you up about 4 flights of stairs, in front of EVERYBODY. In public. Totally restrained. Everybody stairs at you. Little kids even. Before court they also further restrain you, wrapping your arms to your body via a chain.
Cindi: Court was short and sweet. Although the judge seemed confused as to why it took so long to arrest me. Everyone was confused at that. But the judge was nice enough albeit a little confused. It was annoying to have so many set overs, seemed like it drew things out way longer tha needed.
Holly: Court was scary and quick. My sentencing only lasted about five minutes and I don't remember all the words the judge spoke because I was so nervous. It was hard to see my family there and to have them see me get hand cuffed. Court is cold and harsh and the judge doesn't seem to care about any personal details of your life. I only spoke once to the judge and let my lawyer do most of the talking. My probation officer from Washington County also called the judge during my sentencing but the judge didn't seem to care about what she said, which was frustrating.

JM: What were your original charges? What did you end up being convicted of?
Ron: Failure to Appear x2, Failure to perform duties of driver x2.
Cindi: ID theft, and Theft 2, I was connvicted of ID theft
Holly: Probation Violation for a DUI and that is what I was convicted of.

Read about sentencing in the Clackamas County Jail