tinhuviel | Entries tagged with jail

Do I have a tale to tell…

Let’s start from the beginning. On a cold December night in 2012, I got a horrific migraine. It was my third in a week. I had already been to the e/r once with the first one and the doctor had prescribed me a medication I’d never heard of to take home in case I had another.

It worked for the second one. For this one, however, it did not. So, even though I was still not supposed to be driving from my previous seizure incident, and was really kind of afraid to - which is why I don’t drive now - I got in the car to go back to the hospital.

I was stopped by a policeman on the way and he charged me with a DUI. It turns out the medication was a barbiturate. I had to pay a fine and sign up for ADSAP classes, even though I had decided driving was not going to be in my future. I did all of that. I attended all the classes I could before moving to California, which I informed them I was doing. Everything seemed okay.

Fast-forward to 2017. Last week, I decided to take an Internet holiday. Just delete everything so there’d be no temptation, and limit myself to just Netflix and Hulu, if I got bored with doing non-Net stuff. Everything was fine and I figured I’d return to social media in a couple of weeks.

Then, on Sunday, there came a knock at the door. It was a policeman. He was there doing a welfare check on me. He said some friends were concerned because I had disappeared from the Internet. I told him I was fine, and everything seemed to be copacetic as he checked my ID to verify I was the one he was sent to check on.

That’s when things went pear-shaped. It turns out, I had a three-year-old outstanding bench warrant for contempt of court, for failing to enroll in ADSAP. I explained to him that I did enroll and attend, but didn’t finish because of the move. Since I still have my California ID, he believed me, but said I still had to explain that to the judge, so I was handcuffed and carted off to rendezvous with a Spartanburg officer, who took me to that county’s detention facility. He, too, was certain I’d be released as soon as I explained the situation to the judge.

Nope.

The judge said I had to reach out to the judge who originally ruled on my DUI and, until I heard back from him, I would be spending my days and nights in the pokey for the next three to four weeks.

Once I was transferred to my pod, as they call it, and told my cellmates what had happened and what the judge suggested I do, they all said that it was pretty much hopeless. Once you’re in the system, no one will listen to you, so I may as well make myself comfortable. I did not listen, though. I had to at least try.

Monday morning, I logged on to their kiosk and wrote out my story to the judge. Even though I didn’t think it would do any good, I figured I would give it a shot nonetheless. I was as eloquent, polite, and precise as possible. The guard told me that the judge would have three days to respond to my request. I doubted it would turn out in my favour.

But, this morning, I was summoned to court, and the judge explained to me that I would have to re-enroll in ADSAP, even though I no longer drive, because that’s the “law”. I have until the 17th to do so. He released me on my own recognizance since I have never been in trouble before or after the night of the migraine from hell.

And there you have it. The lessons here are clear:

1) Don’t try to drive anywhere with a migraine after taking medicine you’re not familiar with.

2) Don’t take an ‘okay’ as okay over the phone from anyone associated with the “system”. Get it in writing, in triplicate, and keep that shit forever.

3) Don’t listen to what others are telling you when your gut is advising otherwise. Your inner sense knows best.

4) Don’t ever ever EVER fucking delete your Facebook account, or you may end up in an episode of Orange is the New Black.

In conclusion, I had no idea that, upon moving back to South Carolina, the Upstate's welcome wagon doubles as the paddy wagon. Sheesh...

Mood: indescribable
Where? HOME!
Music: silencia

So I got up early this morning, ready to go over to Wellford and kick some so-called authoritative butt, but we got a phone call letting us know the gas man will be here sometime this morning. It's 11:30 and we're still waiting on him. As soon as he delivers gas, then it's off to Wellford to talk to Chief Guy (definitely a guy's name), then to the store to buy some groceries. We have half a box of baking soda and an uncooked pinto bean in the kitchen. Time for some food.

While we wait for the gas man, I'm scanning a fuckton of 3 million year old art work that was crappy when I created it and it's crappy today. Finding all this art recently has gotten me in the mood to try to finish Claire for

paisleydaze and also try my hand at drawing Everett for

gunslingaaahhh. Whether or not these projects will turn out to be as craptacular as the other art I've scanned remains to be seen. In the meantime, I'm gonna upload the crappy old art to Photobucket and post here shortly. I'm also going to put in on Facebook because why should my LJ pals be the only ones to suffer? I'm an equal-opportunity misery giver.

Hm...just got off the phone and the police chief won't be back in the office until Monday. So I guess I'll have to wait until Monday to throw down on the City of Wellford. I hate waiting.

Mood: impatient
Where? home
Music: Dead Can Dance - Tell Me About The Forest (You Once Called Home)

On my way back from Dr. Pilch's office, I went by the Big PO to check the mail box. What I found the in box threw me into such a fit of fury, I thought I was going to pass out from it.

If you recall, I was wrongfully arrested on a mistaken bench warrant back in June. Not only was I forced to spend the night in jail, but I was also slandered when I tried to offer up my tale as comfort to someone who was having to deal with the system over something that they'd actually done. But that's beside the point. The point is, I was informed by the police chief of Wellford that my record had been wiped clean, my points returned to my license, and my fine had been "forgiven" because of the mistake they'd made.

Imagine my surprise when I opened this letter:

WARRANT NOTICE

You are in direct violation of your court order: You have failed to pay as directed and are in non-compliance of conditions. You must send payment BEFORE or report to Spanky at South Carolina Court Services ON: Monday 12/14/09 (time illegible) and pay your balance in full of $245.00. Bring all documentation necessary to complete case: YOUR CASE ENDED! If you fail to do this, then on the next day, a warrant will be issued for your arrest. No exceptions, no excuses.

So, I'm heading back over to the Wellford PD and courthouse to again talk to the chief of police and, if necessary, the mayor. I still have our communications from June where Chief Guy clearly stated that I'd been forgiven of the fine and my record wiped clean because of their mistake. I'm taking all that in along with the evidence of my arrest on 7 June. I'm telling him that I want the situation straightened out while I'm there and I want evidence in writing that it's straightened out before I leave, or else I'm getting a lawyer. I'm also telling him that, if I'm arrested again for this, after it's supposedly been handled for a second time, I'm getting a lawyer and I'm suing the City of Wellford.

I've been nothing but civil to these people despite my horrible evening in the pokey, my embarrassment over being published in the local Jailbirds paper, and some other unpleasant situations that arose from my "unfortunate incarceration." They can either put this to rest and stop harassing me, or they will see their asses in court, prepared to make monetary reparations for the hell they've put me through. This is ridiculous, all over some idiot who is incapable of keeping proper paperwork.

Mood: infuriated
Where? home
Music: Simon & Garfunkel - The Sound of Silence

I never heard from Chief Guy ("Guy? That's....that's definitely a guy's name.") yesterday. So I wrote him this morning.

Dear Chief Guy,

As you recall, I was at the city hall yesterday to speak with Ms. Peake and yourself about my situation regarding a ticket I received on 19 April. The ticket in question was for $450 and it's reference number was 39884EP. I appeared in court on 12 May and had the ticket reduced to $133.90 and the charge to careless operation from reckless driving. I had until 11 June to pay the $133.90 plus a $35.00 charge for setting up the payment plan. On Sunday, 7 June, I was arrested on a bench warrant for the $450.00 and had to spend the night in jail pending the Wellford court opening and verifying my paperwork that I had had the ticket reduced.

I came to speak to you yesterday to request that the reduced ticket be suspended because of the mistake that was made, which endangered the well-being of my disabled mother, who was left alone while I was being detained. You informed me that the reckless driving charge had been dropped, my record expunged, and the points would be returned to my license. You also said that, at 3 PM, you'd speak to the judge who, you were certain, would suspend the reduced fine in question.

You gave me your card so that I could call and email you to find out what my case's status is. I called and left you a message, but you can either call or email me. If my fine is suspended, I'd appreciate something in writing, if you don't mind. I am supposed to pay this by tomorrow, so I'm a little nervous about what the status is. I don't want another bench warrant issued over another misunderstanding. Thank you for your time and attention to this matter. I really appreciate all of your help.

Kind Regards,

Tracy A. Evans (864) 252-7531

I just got a response back.

As to the Reckless Driving citation, the SC DMV was notified on June 9, 2009 to recall that citation. It may take several days (depending on the DMV) for this citation to be removed from your driving record, however, it will be removed. I did speak with the judge regarding the careless operation citation. You are not required to pay the fine as the judge has agreed to suspend that fine amount. You do not have a balance owed to the City of Wellford. If yo have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me.

Respectfully yours,

Chris Guy, Chief of Police

So I get to keep the money. I'm going to Disneyland.

Mood: VICTORIOUS
Where? home
Music: TV NOISE

When I told

clumsycake about the Beatdown Girls offering to corn row my hair, she cackled so loudly, I had to hold the phone out from my ear.

That is all.

Mood: amused
Where? home
Music: Shriekback - My Spine (Is The Bass Line)

I'm really behind here and everywhere, thanks to Sunday night and Monday. Here's the upshot of things: I kept my appointment with the mayor and told her what had happened. She was appalled, but said the matter was out of her hands as far as altering anything on my record or the ticket; however, she could definitely get the chief of police involved. She called him on the phone and had him come back from doing whatever he was doing. I told him what happened and he was appalled, even though he'd already been made privy to my situation. Hearing it firsthand from me was just whipped cream on his horror ice cream. He made copies of my paperwork to show to the judge who, he was certain, would suspend my lowered fine considering what they'd done to me. He also said that the points had already been returned to my license and my record had been expunged. I should know by tomorrow what the judge had to say about erasing the fine. Police Chief Guy ("Guy? That's...that's definitely a guy's name..." You know I thought that when I saw his name) gave me his card to reach out to him tomorrow if I don't hear from him first. And I will, trust me, I will.

Mood: determined
Where? home
Music: Peter Gabriel - In Your Eyes

I'll write about my conversation with the mayor and police chief when I have more time. I'm off to pay a bill and get some Cheerwine. In the meantime, have a poll.

[Poll #1413438]

Mood: pleased
Where? home
Music: Lady GaGa - Poker Face

Wind the clocks back to 19 April. I was on my way to work and saw a cop car behind me, coming up pretty quickly. Since I'd been rolling along with two other vehicles in the lane beside me, I figured I should get over pretty quick as it was obvious the cop needed to be somewhere, so I turned on my signal and got over in between the vehicles I'd been rolling with. The cop slammed on his brakes and got behind the car behind me. That car kinda weasled away and here he was behind me again. Was I speeding? No. Did I use my blinker? Yes. WTF?

Up swaggers this 14-year-old Nazi from the Wellford PD, demanding my license, registration, and proof of insurance. I handed him the stuff and asked what the problem was. He just looked at me. Then I said, "I was on my way to work, just right up the road." He walks off with my information and gets in his car. He's soon joined by another cop car and they get out and have a leisurely chat while I wait. For thirty fucking minutes. He finally comes back with me a ticket for reckless driving in the amount of $450.00 and informs me that I can't contest or pay the ticket early, that I have to appear before the judge on the date and time noted on the citation. He bids me a good day, I bid him a "fuck you," and I head to work late.

Trying to keep Aunt Tudi out of the loop, as she not only worries, but she worries out loud, which makes me all panicky and shite, I wrote The Mother Unit to see if she could help me. She could and did, and I held on to the money as tightly and as quietly as I could. And then I lost my job. I knew that my fine would be lowered, so I took some of the fundage for us to live on. It wasn't the wisest thing in the world, but wisdom seldom dwells in a town called Desperation, tack? Wind the clock forward a little to my court date, which was 12 May. I use the word 'court' very loosely here because I didn't get to talk to a judge at all. There was no judge. There was only the officer who wrote all the tickets, and there were tons of people there, all with huge tickets for no good reason, and the clerk to collect the money.

Now, Wellford is notorious for being a town of ill-repute and for taking advantage of hapless travellers in their amorphous borders. They're also notorious for having a bit of a kangaroo court, sans judge. You most usually get a smaller fee because the original one was ungodly ridiculous. Mine was lowered to $130.00 with an added "gratuity fee" of $3.90, for a grand total of $133.90. I had the money to pay it, but not much more, and I was concerned that this would leave us completely broke with no hope of any income in site. I had the option to postpone paying the fee for a month for an extra added $35.00 fee. I decided to do that, hoping that, by the time 11 June came around, things would be a little better, like I might have found a job or something. I held on to the money like someone clinging to the Cliffs of Insanity by her fingernails.

The Mother Unit helped us a bit more, a great bit more since then, and I have paid many of the doctor bills in preparation to apply for disability. I got a bit enthusiastic in doing so and kind of....forgot....about the upcoming deadline of 11 June. But, it didn't matter because there came a rapping-tapping at my parlour door last night around 9 PM. I opened it to find two cops standing there. BONG BONG was my first thought. Officer Springer asked if I were Tracy and I told him yes. He explained he had a bench warrant out for my arrest. The charge? Failure to appear in court and pay my $450.00 traffic violation fine. I explained to him that there must be some mistake, that I did appear in court, my fine had been reduced, and I had until the 11th to pay it. He asked me to show him the proof, so I took him out to the car where I was hiding the dreadful evidence from Aunt Tudi (too late now!).

When he saw it, Officer Springer said I was right, there was no need for a bench warrant to be out on me; however, he had no choice but to bring me in. He was so certain that the whole thing was a mistake, though, the good officer did something he'd never done before: he let me follow him down there instead of taking me in the back of his car. He was 100% certain the judge would see my evidence, apologise for Wellford's stupidity, and let me pay my fine in my own time, as long as it was by the 11th. Aunt Tudi gave me our grocery money for the rest of the month so I could pay the fine down at the police station and be done with it.

Things didn't turn out quite the way all of us figured it would. The judge was a prick and ruled that the decision lay with the Wellford court, which meant I'd have to stay in County until the Wellford courthouse opened at 9 the next morning. I was processed, booked, and thrown in the pokey with a drug addict and two young girls who'd precipitated a beatdown on a woman they disliked. Despite my evidence, despite all the officers agreeing with the fact that Wellford sucks and I was completely in the right and being wronged because of it, I was thrown in the slammer. I didn't even get a cool bench to sit on and look smugly about me whilst planning my eminent escape by way of well-placed explosives. I had to sit on the floor. Not becoming of a Sith, but it did help to hone my rage very nicely.

I had to wait it out and make a bit of noise with the officers about my predicament. By 11, my noise earned me a 'not guilty' and I was finally released. As soon as I got home, I called Sallie Peake, Wellford's mayor, and set up an appointment with her for 11 am tomorrow morning. My aim is to get the $168.90 eradicated, get my record expunged and, hopefully, the points restored to my license. That's the least she could do for me after the night I just went through. This way, we'll still have our grocery money, and Judge Judy won't have to tut-tut me if I ever appear before her for whatever godawful reason.

The only two upshots are the Beatdown Girls thought I was cool enough for them to offer to braid my hair, corn row style. If I thought I'd had the time, which I didn't, I would have so taken them up on it. That, and I've got some great source material for future writing projects.

Mood: Pissed a Redder Shade of Sith
Where? home
Music: Faithless - Insomnia