Wednesday, August 23, 2017

I Took My Shoes Off For THIS?

A couple of weeks ago on a beautiful Thursday morning, I headed off to the courthouse.

No, I hadn’t been arrested for streaking (again). Kidding, Mom! 

I was going to court to watch the Dude who threatened my kid(s) give his plea of guilty or innocent.

Of course, it would have helped if I had gone to the RIGHT courthouse.

In Halifax, there are multiple court houses and of course I went to the wrong one.  Thankfully, once I finally got to the RIGHT one, they were delayed in starting so I hadn’t missed anything.

I did what I said I was going to do.  I sat front row centre, and who should sit down next to me?  Dude and the people with him.  I have no idea if he realized who I was.


Sitting in a that particular courtroom, was NOTHING like you see on TV.

Everyone who is there to give a plea goes in all at the same time.  There are multiple lawyers all sitting around the same table, representing one or more of the defendants, and the defense attorneys refer to the prosecution as … ‘my friend’. 

Yeah.  I thought THAT was kind of bizarre.  Apparently it’s to keep the mood ‘cordial’ and non-threatening in the courtroom.

Leave it to the Canadians to be THAT polite.

I don't understand why they don't just call them, 'The Defense', and 'The Prosecution', because that's what they ARE ... but that's not what today's rant is really about.


So, Dude’s name is called, and within one minute it was over.

The Defense apparently had not had a previous discussion with The Prosecution so the statement was made that the defense needed more time.

Result?  Plea postponed until the next week.  On to the next case.

Seriously?

And since that was it, I walked out of the courtroom behind him, and went to work.


So, last week I take more time off work, and go back to the courthouse (the RIGHT courthouse) on another beautiful Thursday morning.

This time, as I’m going through security, after I hand over my purse they ask me to take off my shoes.

Really?  My shoes?

Apparently heels can set off the metal detectors, and they seemed to think my shiny strappy silver heels were the perfect candidate to do so.




 

Damn.  Wasn’t expecting to have to take my shoes off.  Good thing I had a shower that morning!

So I strip off the heels, go through security barefoot, get the shoes back on and get upstairs to the courtroom just in time.

When I hit the top of the stairs, there’s Dude, and the people with him, looking right at me.

Guess they know who I am now.

I entered the courtroom and took my spot in the front row.

The first few people go up and then Dude's name is called.

The Defense tells the court that 'a file' was sent to The Prosecution that morning that they hadn't received yet, so The Defense would like a bit more time so 'their friend' has an opportunity to review the file.

Dude is sent to the back of the line.

Finally after recess, Dude's name is called again.

Apparently The Defense and Prosecution need more time ... for more discussion ... and want to postpone the plea ... again.

Annnnnd that was it.  Postponed for another week.  On to the next case.



Seriously?

Seriously?!?!??!  It' s been two months since charges were laid, and you people can't get your shit together to read a file and have a 'conversation' in that time?

Really?

I took my shoes off for THIS?

Twice in two weeks, people were paid hundreds/thousands of dollars ... for absolutely nothing.

Everyone's time ... wasted.

DUDE!  The messages were traced back to you.  OWN IT!



I won't be going to court tomorrow.

I've already taken time off work twice, for nothing.  Certainly not for justice.

No, I know they know I'm paying attention and I would rather take the time off work when it REALLY matters, like if my kid has to be called in as a witness.

That's when it's important for me to be there.


Nope, I'll just wait for the letter from Victim Services to tell me what happened.


And next time ... I'm wearing sneakers!


K. 

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