Broward County Jail

Pre-sentencing

Interview with James and Charles


JM: Tell us about the pre-sentencing process:
James: It was so long. In January of 2006 I requested a VOP hearing, and I was postponed for 5 months by the Judge. It took 6 months for my lawyer to get a depo from the victim.
Charles: Two months, no charges declared, should of been released after 44 days without charges.

JM: Did you have police stop by your house for questioning?
James: Yes.
Charles: Yea, even after I got out of broward, was extradited to palm beach, they knock on my door like where the fuck am I? MY people had to tell them Im still in jail.

JM: What was your court appearance like?
James: After you give up your right to a speedy trial, it is just continuation after continuation. Going to court is the BIGGEST torture of Broward County. Inmates are woken up between 3- 4am and start a LONG process of waiting. Inmates with private lawyers see the judge quick, but the have been times that I've waited until 5pm before I left the holding cell. I feel that the system tortures you so much, that when a plea is offered by the state, people just take it to stop the torture of going to court.
Charles: In broward? Public Defendant was useless, handled my own case. In palm beach due to the complications of multiple county probation I hired a lawyer who I was familiar with and was an expert on probationary issues.