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Pre-sentencing

Interview with April, Julie, Brenda, Cesar and Eddie

JM: Tell us about the pre-sentencing process:
April: Before I was sentenced I was arraigned by a judge after sitting in a holding cell from one in the afternoon until 10 at night. He did it over a screen. He set my bail and I was taken to the intake unit, where they had TV in the cells. After being classified, I was moved to the medium security block.
Julie: I went through the pre-sentencing for 11 months from rehab, and obtaining a public defender to prelimenary hearing to hiring a private attorney to arraignment to sentencing. I had a continuance at prelimenary level and arraignment and my lawyer continued at arraignment and pleading and the Judge continued once at pleading.
Brenda: I was interviewed by probation and asked a lot of personal questions. They asked you about your charge. Questions about your family. The places you used to work. They wanted to get as much information about you so that they can get a feel for your character. This was to give to the judge before sentencing.
Cesar: I was , really hoping for a less sentencing but , I took a deal for a , 5 to 10 and I ended up receiving a 2 & 1/2 to 7 years. For a criminal trespassing . I spoke my side of the story but had no luck of getting lesser time .
Eddie: Waited 2 weeks for preliminary hearing in which 7 of those days I was held in Intake. Then I as moved to an assigned Pod and cell which I waited in for another week until my hearing. During this time I met with my counselor a bail officer and a public defender.

JM: Did you have police stop by your house for questioning? If not please give us details on how you came to be arrested.
April: No. I was on heroin at the time, and I had stole video game systems from Walmart and got caught. While being held in walmarts holding room I tried to escape and almost beat up an employee. I went to the police station for further questioning regarding my case a d the. Went to the jail.
Julie: no. i was arrested for dui after hitting a parked car. i was taken for processing and I asked to phone an attorney but was informed that was not my right. I was asked if I had a ride, I did not and a taxi was provided for me and the cost was included in my fines and costs.
Brenda: I was contacted by the police regarding items that were stolen from a company. They came to a yard sale I was having and collected items they said were there's. I was then later contacted by an investigator and was told to come to the police department for questioning. I told them to contact my attorney. I was then arrested because I ran a red light and they told me I had a warrant for my arrest.
Cesar: I was on church grounds when the officer came to stop me for questioning we spoke and he asked for an id where I was coming from where I was heading and then he placed me under arrest and told me I fit the description in a breaking and entering .
Eddie: Police came to my house with a warrant. I was then taken to the State police barracks in Bethlehem PA to be questioned. Afterwards I was escorted to the Lehigh County Prison and waited in a holding cell until I was processed through intake which included fingerprinting and a video hearing with a judge.

JM: What was court like? Please give as many details as you recall.
April: Court was very brief. They already knew what they were going to give me - time served, I signed a plea to that. My lawyer was court appointed and he was not good at all. He swore I was looking at a lot of time even tho the guideline said different.
Julie: arraignment instructions and paperwork were given in a conference room by the asst. da. At sentencing I was grouped with about 16 other people who were mostly represented and each taken in turn. The Judge seemed to listen to everyone and I didn't think anyone was treated unfairly, including myself.
Brenda: Court was very stressful. First off it was continued 3 times. My paid attorney told me I was going home and would get time served. I went into court and the judge was asking my probation officer what her recommendation was and she suggested jail time. I literally fell to my knees because I thought I was going home.
Cesar: we spoke about the case , the victim , and family . my involvement . DA spoke and said I should receive a state sentencing for the trespassing . if only one point to the guidelines I should have received a 9 to 23 months county time . but it all failed and went down south ?..
Eddie: Court was scary since I was facing so much time. My judge was fair and I had a good lawyer. I was asked questions about my life and how I believed I ended up where I was at along with a detailed history of my past. There were police officers, other lawyers, the DA, and others awaiting trial in the courtroom at the same time as me.

JM: What were your original charges? What did you end up being convicted of?
April: Retail theft which I was convicted of.
Julie: dui 3rd offense. same as original charge.
Brenda: Retail Theft and I that is what I was convicted of.
Cesar: resisting arrest I believe its been several years now .
Eddie: My orginal charger were burglary and that was what I was convicted of.

Read about sentencing in the Lehigh County Prison