B61) " I can do five years standing on my hands " : he said...

Maricopa County Court. 1992

I was sitting in the jury box shackled to four or five other residence of the Maricopa County Jail.  I was listening to the judge. He sentenced four or five people back to back. Along with watching the sentencing I get to watch an equal number of motions being argued. Some lawyers get all riled up for their client. They show passion. ---- Not my state appointed lawyer.  Zero passion, zero enthusiasm and even less competency.

I watched the subtle changes in the judges demeanor as a variety of different lawyers argued their cases. I was back in court on a procedural motion. Nothing of consequence from my awesome legal team on this day. Still I sat there paying attention to the judge and the lawyers. 

I watched the difference in lawyers with respect to how they dressed. I never did see a prosecutor wearing two thousand dollar suit or a five hundred dollar sport coat. The prosecutor at my trial showed up every day, all five foot six of him. He showed up with a pock marked ache scarred face, a suit from K-Mart and a bad attitude. The worst part about this guy, he hated me.

Sitting through a meriad of court dates. Stuck in the court room for hours one end and I'd watch. I became keenly aware of how the prosecutors and defense lawyers conducted themselves. I  noticed how the prosecutors and defense lawyers reacted to each other while in front of the judge as well as watching them when not in front of the judge. There's a big difference.

I noticed how the lawyers interacted with the court's administrative staff. Some lawyers seem to piss everyone off.

There was a gentelman being sentenced. The judge gave him five years. 

The veteran defendant said to the judge after hearing his sentence of five years,

“Hell judge. Just five years. I can do five years standing on my hands”

The judge responded immediately:

“Well, lets make it ten years then. This will give you time to get back on your feet”

The judge swung his gavel producing a crisp sharp smack. It was done. Take that smart ass. The convict looked as if he just taken a bullet to the heart. Everybody hearing that looked stunned in disbelief at what the judge said and did.

It was perfect.

The bailiff called the next case.

And the world kept turning...