‘ That bad attitude will get you in trouble’

‘ That bad attitude will get you in trouble’

Judge Thorne dispenses wisdom, justice from the bench

news@theeveningtimes.com

At the West Memphis Municipal Court the bailiff said, “I’m becoming the most hated man in Crittenden County.” The rule in the courtroom is ‘No Cell Phones’ and he must be the one to check for phones and ask for them to be left outside the courtroom.

A man in jail was charged with no driver’s license and no insurance and pled guilty to both charges.

“I apologize.”

“You don’t have to apologize to me,” said Judge Fred Thorne. “How old are you?”

“37.”

“Have you ever had a driver’s license?”

“No, sir. I have a book and I’ve been studying it to take my test.”

“$75 plus court costs on the driver’s license. $395 plus court costs on the insurance. Maybe you need to study that book a little harder.”

To the next man, Judge Thorne said, “How do you plead to having a busted windshield or I should say, unsafe vehicle?”

“Guilty.”

“Driving on suspended?”

“Guilty.”

“No insurance?”

“Guilty.”

“And no tags?”

“Guilty.”

“Whose car was it?”

“It was my car. I just had bought it last month and I got it fixed.”

“$395 plus court costs and 2 days house arrest on the driving on suspended. $395 plus court costs on the insurance. I’ll dismiss the unsafe vehicle and the tags.”

Two men in jail were called forward together.

“How do you plead to possession of marijuana?”

“No contest,” said the first man.

“No contest,” said the second man. A third man was called to come forward with them.

“How do you plead to possession?”

“No contest.”

“You had a failure to appear and a $3,500 bond.”

“Do any of you have a job?”

“Yes, sir. I work at a warehouse on Airport Road.” “How long?”

“One year.”

“Which one of you is going to claim the dope?”

“We didn’t know it was in the car,” said one of the men.

“There was marijuana in

Judge Fred Thorne small bags in the front floorboard and in the back seat. I’ll change you all to not guilty and we will have a trial.”

The men just looked at each other.

“Okay, $750 and one year suspended for each of you.” A man in jail charged with public intoxication pled guilty.

“Did you have a couple of cans of beer?”

“Yes sir. It was Milwaukee’s Best.”

“That cheap stuff will get you drunk quicker. Are you still at Points of Light?”

“Yes, sir.”

“When did you go to jail?” “Tuesday.”

“Let him out for time served.”

A woman in jail was asked, “How long has it been since I’ve see you?

How do you plead to driving on suspended?”

“Guilty.”

“No headlight?”

“Guilty.”

“How old are you?”

“34.”

“Since 2003 you have had 70 charges. $500 plus court costs and 30 days on driving on suspended. Pay court costs on the headlight.”

A man charged with public intoxication pled guilty.

“Why were you drinking?” “I was stressed out. My morn died and I didn’t go to the funeral.”

“The one person who is always there for you is your mother and you didn’t go to her funeral?”

“She understood.”

“Let him eat lunch and then let him out.”

A woman in jail said, “Can I change my plea to no contest?” “Yes.” “And get credit for time served?” “Now you are pushing it a little. You have a terrible record.” “No, I don’t!” “See the public defender. Why wouldn’t you talk to me the other day? You just put your head down and wouldn’t answer me. You wouldn’t talk to the public defender either. How long have you been in jail?” “50 days. Five-O!” “Book it, Dano! You

can get out for time served!” A man in the courtroom pled guilty to no driver’s license

and no insurance.

“How old are you?” “20.”

“Do you work?”

“Yes.”

“Do you have a girlfriend?”

“Yes.”

“Whose car were you driving?”

“My sister.”

“$65 plus court costs on the driver’s license and $295 plus court costs on the no insurance. Do you have children?”

“No, sir.”

“Good!”

A man in the courtroom was told by Judge Thorne, “You walked off without paying a fine and then did 18 days jail. I’ll give you 6 months probation. Go back and don’t screw up, or you will get one year jail. I don’t care if you like me or not. That bad attitude will get you in trouble. Be back here May 24th at 3 p.m.

and we will see how you are doing. How old are you?”

“21.”

“Are you in school?”

“Yes.”

“He is not in school!” said his grandmother.

“I’m trying to get my GED.”

“You are not in school.

You don’t have a job. If that attitude doesn’t change you will be back in here.

You know that, don’t you, grandmother?”

statefarm. com

“Pray for me,” said the grandmother.

A young man charged with speeding pled guilty. To no insurance he pled no contest.

“Whose car were you driving?”

“My car,” said his mother.

“How old are you?”

“17.”

“Who pays your insurance?”

“I do,” said his mother.

“I didn’t ask you, I asked him.”

“She does.”

“Is it fair that your insurance will go up $100 or $150 a month and she has to pay that?”

“No.”

“Pay $75 court costs and go to driver’s school or do six hours community service and driver’s school and I’ll keep it off your record.

Which do you want, mother?”

“Six hours community service.”

“Good choice. Be back here on May 24th at 3 p.m.

with proof you have done your community service or you will do one day in jail for each hour you did not do.”

A man with a charge of failure to yield pled no contest. After he gave his lengthy explanation the judge said, “Get out of here.”

“What?”

“You can pay 195 plus court costs or you can get the hell out of here.”

“I’m gone!”

By the Evening Times News Staff