Salt Lake County Jail

Pre-sentencing

Interview with Mickey, Nate and Anne


JM: Tell us about the pre-sentencing process:
Mickey: The process to get to sentencing was very lengthy for my most severe charge. I was charged with Robbery (a 2nd degree felony), convicted of Theft (a class A misdemeanor). I had to appear before the judge I believe 5 times for roll call due to lawyer's absences. After that I plead guilty then went to sentencing. All together this took probably 9 or 10 months
Nate: I broke my probation, so when I went into court they told me that I had to do my time.
Anne: Honestly, I had to call my boyfriend to ask him what the pre-sentencing was! This was my first criminal charge, and I don't think there was a pre-sentencing report. I went to court and was sentenced that day.

JM: Did you have police stop by your house for questioning?
Mickey: No
Nate: No.
Anne: No. I was in a living situation and the house was under investigation. Apparently, the police conducted an investigation for an undisclosed amount of time before they served a search warrant.

JM: What was your court appearance like?
Mickey: Not too long because my lawyer was on time and was able to hand my file to clerk with some of the first ones that were called.
Nate: I wore a semi casual business attire (pants and a collared shirt tucked in).
Anne: I have a serious issue with being late for appointments, work, my own funeral..etc. Actually, the first court appearance was relatively uneventful, with the exception that I learned quickly how LITTLE TO NO public representation is offered. My background and history are stellar, former competitive bodybuilder and strength coach I hadn't been in trouble beyond traffic infractions. The court appearance NEXT is when I was taken into custody. I had been reported by my probation officer as not have taken a drug test that had been randomly scheduled. I had to appear in court on an 'Order To Show Cause" on this infraction. I walked 14 blocks in dress clothes to get to court, and ended up at the courtroom at 820am when court was at 8am. In my experience, including my initial court appearance, the crowd all funnels into the courtroom at once, and it was usually at least 20mins to 30 mins behind schedule. I asked around the group of people outside of my Judges Courtroom if this was for the same Judge, etc. and receivedaffirmative acknowledgement that I was in the right place. Unfortunately, at the wrong time. I filed into the courtroom about 845 and sat through what became apparent was a MURDER TRIAL! I couldn't bring myself to bother the courtroom and exit, so I found a slot at approx. 1130am and asked the Baliff if I was in the right courtroom. After a word with the judge, he told me to wait. After a few minutes he produced a 'packet' of papers stapled together and told me very politely to take it to the Judges secretary. I immediately walked into the Reception Office, gave the secretary the packet of papers to which she icely thanked me and told me to go back into the courtroom. Unknowingly, I had given her my own 100,00 arrest warrant.