Hernando County Jail

Pre-sentencing

Interview with Ron and JM


JM: Tell us about the pre-sentencing process:
Ron: The pre-sentencing process was what took the longest. The state attorney really wanted to go hard on me with evidence of a co-defendant that was more involved. He stuck to what he was asking for a few months, until one day when another guy had the exact same charges but it was his second felony, whereas this was only my first, and he was sentence to 2 years less, at that point my lawyer had something to negotiate with.
JM: The pre-sentencing process was extremely difficult to deal with. There is a high number of cases in the county, and the prosecuting attorneys are quite busy, which causes a number of motions for delays in the case. If you have a private attorney you can move through the process quicker. The state attorney prosecuting my case was a bit vindictive, taking my case personally. She told the judge that I was a sex offender, even though I am not, and as a result my bond was increased to a higher number.

JM: Did you have police stop by your house for questioning?
Ron: The only time the police stopped by the house, they had a warrent for arrest. Once I was in custody then they would proceed to questioning.
JM: They did, and I was arrested. It was not a pleasant experience.

JM: What was your court appearance like?
Ron: It is inhumane. They wake you up at 3am, when you hearing is scheduled for 9am. Then they keep you in a holding cell with 20 other guys for 7 hours, with no breakfast, then transfer you to the court house in a van, where you have to wait in another holding cell, until after the judge returns from lunch, and still nothing to eat. Then you return to the jail and go to count then, get to eat dinner.
JM: My court appearances took place mostly over video monitor, and my final appearance took place at the actual court house. It wasn't terrible, but you are woken up early and have to wait quite a long time for the actual proceedings to being.