¶ … attended a county Criminal Court proceeding to hear how a defendant would plead in the charges against him. The defendant was a white male in his early-thirties, arrested on manslaughter and DUI. The defendant entered the courtroom wearing an orange jumpsuit and bound by chains on his ankles and wrists. He was accompanied by a bailiff and joined his public defender at a table. The court session was brief. The judge called the hearing to order. The prosecutor told the court that the defendant is charged with manslaughter in the death of an individual in an automobile accident. He was also being charged for driving under the influence of alcohol. The prosecutor further proceeded to explain that this was the defendant's third DUI charge, and "unfortunately resulting in the death of an individual." The judge asked how the defendant pleaded to the charges. Both he and his public defender rose. The defense attorney said, "Not guilty on both accounts, your honor." The public defender explained that while the accident resulted in a death, the other driver caused the accident. The attorney further added that the police improperly conducted the field sobriety test. The judge set the trial date to be held in two months time, set a bail of $15,000, and dismissed the case.

I appreciated the opportunity to see a hearing being conducted and how it works. What I found fascinating is that the defendant has been held in jail for some four weeks awaiting this hearing, and now must incarcerated for another two months before trial commences, unless he raises bail; what I found shocking was under the "innocent until proven guilty" the defendant is shackled as they he has already committed the crime, and that the time between the incident and trial is going to be twelve weeks. That's a long time for memories to be affective by the defendant, witnesses, and the arresting officers. But then I must remember that laws govern us, and that justice has no part in our criminal court proceedings toward the defendant or the state.