Charles W. Massie
My public defender Harrison, from the Department of Public Advocacy, told me I would probably go back to court this week. I figured the day would be today and once again, my logic came in spot on. At about 9:30 A.M., a guard came in to fetch me for the transport van. On this trip, nine inmates would make an appearance in court. We all squeezed into the transport van like sardines. Once again upon our arrival, all the inmates for court herded into a holding cell, to wait for the call to appear. Do you have any idea how boring it is to listen to a bunch of criminals brag about their criminal exploits? I had been sitting in the cell for over two hours. I listened to inmate tales of breaking and entering, stolen cars, acts of arson, and driving while intoxicated. The thing that got me was that some of these guys were actually proud of their actions. For me, a person who never really got into any brushes with the law, my impression of these clowns was they all needed brain transplants. Perhaps I shouldn't maintain these arrogant feelings. Maybe I should feel compassion for people in the same boat as myself. Even though I had been reduced to the level of 'criminal', I could not help thinking how my moral compass worked compared to others. Some didn't even know what a moral compass was. Finally, the bailiff called me to appear in front of the Judge. When I entered the courtroom, Harrison was finishing up with another client he represented. I wondered how many others held their fate in his hands. Like the last time I appeared here, Harrison pulled me aside into the meeting room to discuss the matters at hand. "Mr. Casey," he started, "I think I can work you a good deal today." "What do you consider a good deal Harrison?" I questioned. "I talked to the Prosecutor," he continued, "and he will not press for additional jail time if you plead out on these charges." "Exactly," I asked, "what does plead out mean?" "In other words, you plead guilty to the contraband and Cocaine cha
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