The Truthful Witness: A Legal Thriller (Sam Johnstone Book 5) by James Chandler
Author:James Chandler [Chandler, James]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Severn River Publishing
Published: 2023-07-03T16:00:00+00:00
28
Like many small businesswomen, Cathy didnât have the luxury of taking federal holidays off, so she was in her office on Equality Day. She was scheduled to meet with Misty to cover what would happen at tomorrowâs sentencing. Together, they would review the pre-sentencing investigation andâmore importantlyâtry and re-establish trust between them. Cathy had met with Misty occasionally since the trial and was concerned with her clientâs increasingly sullen, withdrawn demeanor.
Notwithstanding, she was shocked at Mistyâs appearance that morning and quickly reflected on a recent discussion with Sam about clients and sentencing. âThe first thing they need to understand is that it is possible they will go to prison,â he had explained. âMost of them convince themselves they will walk. And most of them are rightâthere is a lot of pressure on judges to find a way to keep people in the community, especially with a drug crime. Your clientâs crime is drug-related, but because she allowed her grandson to be around drugs, Iâd have her prepared to do some time.â
âSheâs gonna be pissed.â
âOf course. Sheâs convinced life dealt her a bad hand. Minimal coping skills,â he said. âIâd remind her what the maximum possible sentence isâget the bad out first. Then talk about the possibility of probation onlyâthatâs best case. Then, walk through the Department of Correctionsâ recommendation. Then promise onlyâonlyâto do your best. Thatâs it.â
âCase like this, what do you think?â
âBridger usually follows the recommendation from the DOC,â he said. âAssuming your client doesnât do something to piss him off, thatâs the most likely scenario.â
She had thought about it and made some notes for herself to follow during her discussion with Misty. But seeing her client in this condition had Cathy off-center. âMisty, are you . . . okay?â
âWhattaya mean?â
âWell . . . you donât look . . . right.â
Misty sat heavily in the client chair. âIâm fine, sister.â
Good Lord, the woman had been drinking! âChrist, Misty! Youâve been drinking!â
âOnly a little,â Misty said, holding up her hand and showing Cathy an index finger and a thumb an inch apart. âWhatâre they gonna do? Throw me in jail?â
âThatâs exactly what Bridger could do!â Cathy said. âHe finds out youâve been drinking he could send you to prison! Show up like that tomorrow and he could hold you in contempt.â
âBig effing deal.â
âIt is a big deal! Thatâs time that wouldnât count toward your sentence!â As a prosecutor, Cathy had seen plenty of defendants show up to court drunk. Many lacked coping skillsâthat was the reason they were in trouble in the first placeâbut this was the first time sheâd had to worry about it with her own client.
âWhat the hell were you thinking?â Misty didnât answer; instead, she began waggling her foot. After a few seconds, Cathy saw tears. âMisty, whatâsââ
âI donât want to go to prison!â Misty wailed. âIâve done everything right! Iâve tried to change. I went to treatment, Iâve been going to NA, I work two jobs, and Iâm trying to be a good grandma for Ari.
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