My Court Trip

Hello everybody. Our latest assignment was to attend court cases for a few hours. I was reluctant and annoyed with this idea at first. I thought it was going to be boring and busy work. As you will soon find out, that was far from the truth.

I got there fairly early and had no idea where to go. All the employees at the courthouse were very helpful and nice. This came as a surprise because it's such a negative place. I always feel so weird being there. I can only imagine being there having to face prison or jail time.

I eventually was lead to a court case that involved a man facing 5 different felonies. Before the case started I overheard the family discussing the some of the details.

There were eight people in the family discussing the decision that needed to be made on a man named Forrest James Rashad. He was a 24 year-old, who was being charged with; possession or a fire-arm, possession of narcotics., armed burglary, grand theft auto. He had another felony charge that got dropped by the state.

Forrest was facing life in prison but was offered a deal to take 20 years, plus time already served and another 5 years probation after that. The stipulation to the deal was his rights of appeal were relinquished. Some of the family thought the investigation wasn't properly handled. They thought he could get off because of it.

At one point one of the bailiffs had to break two member of the family up as they started to push and shove each other while screaming at the top of there lungs. It was such an emotional time for the family that they started attacking each other. It was starting to get out of hand.

As the family was arguing back and forth about what Forrest should do, my mind started to wander. I just imagined being in his shoes and my family arguing, yelling, and screaming at each other. On top of all that facing life in prison.

Shortly after, the case started and everyone filed into the court-room. Some members of the family were denied entry because they were wearing flip flops and shorts.

When Forrest was brought out he and his mother immediately started crying. It seemed like as soon as they made eye-contact they had a look as if they couldn't believe what was happening.

The judge, Anthony K. Black, stated the facts of the offer given by the state to Forrest and asked him if he understood the deal. Forrest's weeping made it hard to understand his answer. Judge Black asked again. It was again hard to understand. So Judge Black, starting to seem annoyed, asked again louder and more stern. Forrest nodded his head and softly said yes.

The father of Forrest then stood up and yelled that his son did not understand the deal. Judge Black seemed surprised that Forrest's father just did this and asked him to sit down and be quiet. The man would not sit down and asked for a couple of minutes to address the court. The bailiffs then came and escorted him out of the court-room. (Judge Black)

Forrests mother then started to lose it, and started crying. The crying was so hysterical, I couldn't hear what the judge was saying. He then politely asked her to please be quiet. Judge Black waited until Forrest's mother was in better control.

Forrest took the deal from the state. I was thinking about how amazing it would be to have a decision that could change his and his families life come down to something like that. He did make the decision to commit all those felonies. It's sad seeing someone around my age in that situation.

Forrest will be out in the year 2028. He will be 42 when he finally gets out of prison and 47 when will no longer be on probation.

A lot can happen in a time span of 20 years, but not much will change with Forrest's life. He will look older, probably have grey hair, maybe even bald. While in prison his family and the rest of the world will be moving through there lives. Forrest's life will be at a stand still. Some of the family who attended the hearing will be dead. He will miss his baby son's youth. This all because he made bad decisions one night.

I'm sorry for such a long post, but so much happened. I wanted you to be able to understand how emotional this case was. This was better than a Law and Order episode. Until next time everyone stay out of trouble!!!!