Disclaimer: The following story is a work of fiction. Certain characters are based loosely on people known to the author, other similarities to actual persons, places, and events are purely coincidental. This story also includes graphic homosexual acts, some by minors. If this material offends you or is illegal in your area please stop now. The name Aquatic Rescue Response has been used with permission of Aquatic Rescue Response of Maine. Thank you.
Chapter Fifteen: A Quick Sentence
Kevin, Dan, and Nick were now sitting together in the single minimum security holding cell in the basement of the county court house. Over the previous two nights in lock-up the men had formed their plan. Based on the intimate knowledge each of the older men had of the penal system, they had a high probability of success. The men waited, and waited, and waited some more. Finally, the door at the end of the room groaned open. In walked three very large male COs, followed in stark contrast by a very petite female CO. The difference was almost comical, especially when it was realized she was a sergeant and the men were mere slick-sleeve, buck-private COs. The female CO, Sergeant Costello, looked at the three jail birds.
MISTER STEVENS! COME TO THE DOOR. YOU TWO STAY AT THE BACK OF THE CELL!
Her voice boomed in the small space, and impressed all three men just with the strength it projected. Hesitantly Nick stepped forward, Kevin and Dan glared at Sergeant Costello.
Now, Mister Stevens, place your hands through the slot for the food tray....Good....Now, step back and I?ll open the door.
With his hands now cuffed in front of him, Nick stepped back. The door was opened, he was motioned through, and the door was slammed shut behind him, causing him to jump, the CO gave a satisfied smirk.
OK, Mister Stevens, please follow CO Grace...
ALL RISE!
The bailiff bellowed the standard courtroom order as the judge walked in, sat behind the bench, and waved half heartedly to the bailiff.
THIS COURT IS NOW IN SESSION, THE HONORABLE JUDGE RAMON HERNANDEZ PRESIDING! FIRST ON THE DOCKET, CASE NUMBER 07-10284-C, STATE VERSUS NICHOLAS STEVENS, ALL PERSONS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS CASE PLEASE TAKE YOU ASSIGNED PLACES. Your Honor, case number 07-10284-C.
Thank you, bailiff.
The judge took the folder, read from it briefly to himself, looked up directly at Nick, took off his reading glasses, and started to speak with only the slightest hint of his Long Island accent.
Mister Stevens, please stand...I have read over all the reports, findings, and such regarding your case. You are being charged with attempted assault on an officer of the state, a rather serious charge for someone with not so much as a speeding ticket before hand...At this point I am going to ask you how you plea, Guilty or Not Guilty, do you understand?
Nick nodded timidly.
For future reference, the court cannot hear you nod your head in the affirmative, I ask that you answer audibly from here on out?
Ye-eerr-es, Yes, sir. I understand, sir.
Good, alright Mister Stevens, how do you plea?
Not guilty, sir, I jus...
Archie?s hand on his arm stopped him from continuing.
Your attorney is correct to cut you short, Mister Stevens, just the words not guilty will suffice, you may retake your seat. Now, as I said before, you have no previous record, and by all accounts you had the least to do with anything that happened. I?ve discussed this with the DA, and as long as the State does not raise any objections, it has been decided to release you on probation. You will remain on probation for one year, during which time you will check in with your assigned case officer daily, submit to search and substance testing at random, and any out of state travel will have to be approved no less the three business days in advance. After the year, your record will remain open for an additional year, meaning that if you are picked up for any transgression greater then a minor traffic offense, you will, along with that sentence receive the full applied sentence for your current lack of common sense. Do you understand, Mister Stevens?
Yes, Your Honor.
Any objections, counsel?
The attorney cleared his throat as he rose from his seat.
No objections, from the State, Your Honor.
Nor for the defense, Your Honor. And the defense thanks the court for its leniency and allowing Mister Stevens the opportunity to follow the correct path.
Good...On a side note, I suggest you to closely re-evaluate with whom you associate, Mister Stevens. Now, Mister Stevens, you are hereby sentenced to one year probation, plus one year open record, the bailiff will escort you to the court clerk, who will assist you in completing your paperwork. NEXT CASE!
With that the judge slammed his gavel down causing the water glass on his bench to rattle. A bailiff came, removed the handcuffs, and escorted Nick from the courtroom.
Unfortunately for him, Nick did not realize he still had to out process back at the jail, so he had to wait for the days cases to finish. Dan?s case had taken much longer and would not be finished until the next day. They had not even gotten to Kevin. The three men rode back to the jail on the Department of Corrections bus with numerous other non law abiding detainees. Nick and the two others to be released; one man, one woman; rode separate from those either sentenced or awaiting sentencing.
Back at the jail, Nick glanced at Kevin just long enough for the other man to give him the nod that signaled everything was going as planned. Nick dreaded the thought of what he had been asked to do but liked the projected outcome of their plan, he had never been to the Caribbean...
Thank you for reading at least this far. This has is my first story I have been confident enough of to post online. Feedback and comments are welcome, however if you feel the need to flame I will, as the firefighter I am, assume that you are on fire and take appropriate action comenserate with my training. Also, I apologize to those of you reading this story from outside the United States. Depending on your country of origin, I may or may not reply to your comments for security reasons. Thank you again. Merman_Resq@yahoo.com