#Abuse of Discretion by Pamela Samuels Young

Author:Pamela Samuels Young
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Goldman House Publishing
Published: 2018-04-05T16:22:12+00:00

Chapter 32

Angela

When we return to the courtroom, Martinez is sitting on the edge of the prosecution table. The judge is standing nearby. She’s not wearing her robe.

“Did you two work things out with your client?” the judge asks.

Her question is directed at Jenny, but I’m the one who responds. “Your Honor, we can’t seem to get him to change his mind.”

The judge marches over to where Graylin is standing and pins him with a look intense enough to spark a fire.

“Young man, do you understand what you’re doing?”

Graylin has resumed his gangbanger persona. His arms are locked across his chest and his head is arrogantly cocked to the side. “Yep. I want me some justice.”

His right leg is trembling, but he’s otherwise staying in character.

“If you’re convicted in adult court,” Judge Miller tells him, “the consequences are much more serious. You could end up with multiple felonies on your record that might never go away. It’s best for you to have your case heard in juvenile court.”

“Sounds like you already decided to convict me,” Graylin says, just as surly as before. “This is why we need Black Lives Matter cuz the black man keeps getting screwed over by the system. I said I don’t wanna be here. So send me to adult court, damn it!”

The judge’s pert lips flatten into a straight line.

I immediately start pleading Graylin’s case. “Your Honor, my client is not himself. You’ve read the detention report. He’s a great kid. This is an act. We’d like you to take into account that he’s been influenced by—”

“Counselor, I don’t care who influenced him,” Judge Miller bristles. “If one of my sons talked to me like this, I’d—” She catches herself. “Well, that’s beside the point.”

“Your Honor,” I continue, “he’s pretending to—”

“I don’t care if he’s pretending. Your client’s disrespectful behavior and his failure to listen to your advice tell me better than that detention report ever could that he’s unfit for the juvenile justice system. So trying to rehabilitate him would indeed be a waste of this court’s time. Since he wants to be in adult court, that’s precisely where I’m sending him. Let me get my robe so we can put this on the record.”

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