CrimLaw

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Rural Judge v. City Kid (Seen in a rural courthouse):

A Richmond kid who managed to wander into a rural county two counties away from Richmond (and get in some minor trouble) is called to the bench. The judge explains to him that he is in court to answer a show cause as to why he shouldn't be imprisoned for not doing the community service she required. He pleads not guilty.

Prosecution: "We transferred him to Richmond Community Services and they assigned him community service 2 and 1/2 miles from where he was living. He didn't do any of it; he said it was too far to get to."

Judge (confused): "2 1/2 miles was too far?"

Defendant: "Your Honor, it was way over by the Diamond and there were no buses I knew of going there."

Judge (incredulous): "So you couldn't walk 2 1/2 miles to keep from going to jail?"

Defendant: "That's a long way from my house. It's not anywhere near."

Judge (not happy): "Well if you can't walk just 2 1/2 miles to avoid going to jail I'm going to impose the 10 day sentence."

The kid is led away and thus is illustrated one of the eternal truths of practicing around here: rural folks will walk, hitch, or drive their tractor across four counties to meet with you, keep their court appointment, and do what the judge tells them. Richmonders can't travel four blocks unless they have a car or there is a bus route. And rural judges just won't buy the "it was too far away argument."

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