[Newspoetry] GO TO JAIL: Do Not Pass Go; Don't Collect $200

[DL Emerick]

The man heard his name called.

"Here, your Honor", he replied,

As he slowly shuffled by similar others,

All sitting on benches, anxious,

Half paying attention.

 

Limping slightly,

as his leg had gone to sleep,

the man approached the dais.

 

As he did so, the prosecutor spoke:

"Your Honor,

defendant has agreed to plea guilty,

our recommendations are set forth

in this brief", as she rose

and approached the Bench.

 

The Judge glanced at the papers,

This was all routine to the pros,

And "Spoke, Mr. Defendant,

Before I accept your plea,

Of guilt to the charges the State has lodged,

Let me remind you of your various rights."

"Do you waive the right to attorney,"  "Yes"

And so on it went, as to each trial right,

Questions posed, defendant conceded.

 

And, then, the clincher,

"You understand, in pleading guilty,

That you must answer factual questions

Such as I will now pose, honestly?"

"Yes, indeed, your honor."

The pertinent facts were identified,

One by one, the short narrative of arrest:

on such-and-such a date, and time, and place,

for such-and-such circumstance,

were you arrested on such-and-such charge,

and had you in fact committed said offense."

 

All facts affirmed, The Court cleared its throat,

"Well, then, let me advise you of the sentence,

That will be established in a later hearing:

Jail for a time and a nice hefty fine."

 

The defendant said "thank you"

And walked to the clerk's desk,

To find out the date for his sentencing.

 

Such is the news from the courts of America.

 

***  No Lawyers were actually interviewed, as they got no fees on this case.
The State, in the persons of prosecutor, Judge and clerks, was silent.  The
defendant shrugged.***

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