Pierce County Jail

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Pre-sentencing

Interview with Ryan, Alex, George and John

JM: Tell us about the pre-sentencing process:
Ryan: THEY GAVE ME PAPERS WITH FURTHER COURT DATES TO GO TO.
Alex: You could be there for HOURS.
George: VERY SIMPLE( 1,2,3, GET IN THE CAGE YOU ARE DONE)
John: since i have been incarcerated on numerous occassions, i normally know what the sentence will generally be. most if not all of my charges have been theft related, which normally increases my time with every additional theft.

JM: Did you have police stop by your house for questioning? If not please give us details on how you came to be arrested.
Ryan: NO
Alex: Yes, back in 2004. In November 2006 I answered a summons to appear.
George: YES
John: only once, but that was in centralia

JM: What as court like? Please give as many details as you recall.
Ryan: I COULD HARDLY SAY ANYTHING THE COURT APOINTED ATTORNY SAID EVERYTHING
Alex: Very impersonal. Mostly seemed like a "hurry and get to the next one" thing. You're kept in a holding cell with about 40 other guys. You don't see your "attorney" until you actually walk before the judge. Chances are if it's a court appointed attorney, this will be the first time you've met him/her. There's whispering on both sides - the experience is actually numbing. You're attorney tells you what's happening and you sign some papers. Then it's back to the holding cell to wait until EVERY one has been to court.
George: ONE SIDED I COULDNOT TALK
John: the court appearance itself took all of 5 minutes. its just the waiting to be seen by the judge while you wait in a cramped and crowded room with a few dozen other inmates that whine and cry about their charges that get to you. point blank is if you dont have a private attorney and a little cash, you may have to sit for awhile.