JM: Tell us about the pre-sentencing process: pete: It was pretty quick Jake: Upon arrival at Williamson County jail I was put
into a holding cell approximately 12' X 15' with
about 30 other people, ONE open toilet and no TP
(they told us they took it away because people
were using it as pillows). By the time I was
taken from this cell, processed and sent to the
magistrate about 22 hours had passed. Billy: when u say presentencing i assume you mean being
magistrated.Basically you go into the (drunk
tank) which is a small very cold room that they
leave you in usually for 24 to 36 hours until
you get magistrated.you then get lined up and go
before the judge 1 at a time to hear the charges
and if you will be posting bail.If you can
afford bail and it is a minor offense then you
are then told if you qualify for posting your
own bond on your word that you will show up for
court.basically a personal recognisance bond.
usually this is done very fast and really not
much time to explain any situation or matters
involving your case. Kara: This is a blur of activity that you generally
know nothing about. You are hauled to jail with
no attorney, are yelled at by the judge as to
where your attorney is or if you want one. No
one does anything to educate an inmate as to
their rights. You wait, get a piece of paper to
tell you of a court or you find out on a morning
when your name is called and they tell you that
you are going to court.
JM: Did you have police stop by your house for questioning? If not please give us details on how you came to be arrested. pete: No, they picked me up at work Jake: First of all, I was raided at 7:30am, horrible
wakeup call, pistols to the face! Not cool. Not
just me though, completely Billy: Yes I actually had them come to my place of
employment which was actually in travis county
and arrest me in front of my boss and all my co-
workers.I also had them come and arrest me and
my wife one time for non payed tickets in front
of my kids neighbors and it was very emotional
for my kids to see there parents getting
arrested. Kara: No.
JM: What was court like? Please give as many details as you recall. pete: Not to good Jake: Very early morning, it took about 10 minutes.
There were about 10 people in the room with me.
the magistrate went through one by one, called
each of our names, read outloud our charge &
asked for a plea, read our bail amount if any,
then walked out in a chain gang just the way we
came in. It was a bonding experience. Billy: My court appearance was ealy to mid morning were
the cuffed us and took us through a corridor i
would assume under ground to the court house.
I was very humiliated by the appearance of my
self as they did not allow any time for
hygiene.you have no idea when your court date is
until they come and pull you out of your cell. Kara: Frightening. There are few times that you are
treated well in jail but court is the ultimate
in dehumanizing any experience. You are
considered an animal to be housed. You are
treated very badly by court personnel; even
being yelled at and told "you don't deserve to
do anything the rest of your life but flip
burgers. You are scum."