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Pre-sentencing

Interview with Dale

JM: Tell us about the pre-sentencing process:
Dale: I was actually jailed and released prior to sentencing. In court, I was granted time for the four months I served. The pre-sentencing process dragged on for months; I was arrested in May of 2011, and not finally sentenced until March of the following year. They could have been a great deal tougher on me, and might have been if not for my total compliance. My chief complaint, if any, was that the process could not have been expedited.

JM: Did you have police stop by your house for questioning? If not please give us details on how you came to be arrested.
Dale: One night in May of 2011, I was hugely depressed and highly inebriated. I had a knife at my own throat. My parents called 911, hoping for medical or mental health professionals to arrive. Instead, two police officers kicked in the door. I very foolishly and drunkenly made an attempt, in my suicidal state, to get them to kill me. I was tased twice before I let go of the knife, and brought in for a host of charges.

JM: What was court like? Please give as many details as you recall.
Dale: Court was terrifying, if only because of the threat of further incarceration. Some judges have a reputation for being understanding, while others are known as a bit more draconian. I was fortunate to have one of the understanding ones-- again, things could have went great deal worse. My public defender, as per the popular stereotype, was overworked and marginally appreciated, but did the best he could. Again, the worst part of the process was the long time spent wondering what would become of me as the whole thing dragged on.

JM: What were your original charges? What did you end up being convicted of?
Dale: I don't recall the entire litany of charges, as there were a handful; some were quite serious. In the end, I was able to plea down to aggravated assault. Hardly ideal, but better than the harsher alternative. Once again, I believe my full cooperation made the process markedly easier for me.

Read about sentencing in the Mercer County Jail