Arraignment!!!

So, if anyone is following me and my friends legal problems, we were arraigned yesterday. For those of you not familiar with the legal system, the first step is arraignment. This is where you enter your plea. Of course we entered “Not Guilty.”

However, there was quite a surprise that I found out. You see, I was charged with Disorderly Conduct while Intoxicated. This can be either a minor or 4th degree misdemeanor. I was given my ticket as a minor misdemeanor. I had signed it, which says that I received it, and then was given my copy.

After I was given my copy, the officer changed the charge to a 4th degree. Big deal? Well, a minor misdemeanor has a maximum penalty the same as a speeding ticket. Basically, $150 + court costs. Maximum. A M4 (fourth degree misdemeanor) carries a maximum of 30 days in jail, plus a hefty fine. Certainly quite different. Now, we wouldn’t receive jail time, but this just goes to show how much a difference that makes.

Anyways, this is all bullshit. The next step is the pretrial. This is where all the deals get made. This is the point where my attorney will say, “You guys are full of shit.” Then they will say, “Ok, well if he pays court costs (~$70) then we’ll dismiss the charge.”

I don’t know, I have a month before that, but it really chaps my ass that a police officer would do that. Did he think I was just going to throw away the ticket or what? It clearly has the M circled indicating minor, but on the court’s copy, that circle is crossed out and 4 is circled. BULLSHIT!

Anyways, just keeping you folks updated.