Dakota County Jail

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Pre-sentencing

Interview with Shawanda Miller, Jeremy and Chuck

JM: Tell us about the pre-sentencing process:
Shawanda Miller: If you were arrested and brought to jail, generally there would be no bail until you would been seen by a judge generally within 2 days, then either they would let you go own own recognanze or post bail. If you were let go, then you'd receive a court date within the month or following month. Sometimes depending on the case, they may or may not order a pre-sentencing investigation. Then at court you'd have the omnibus hearing either by pleading guilty or not guilty. Then they'd give the person another court date either within the month or so.
Jeremy: I turned myself in for a felony warrant that was over 4 years old. So I spent only one night in jail as the next day i went to court and the judge OR(released) me until my next court date. I suggest people that have a warrant do the same and this way you might avoid bail costs as the judge will most probably release you until your next court date.
Chuck: Roughly most cases, 97% in fact, don't go to trial. They plead out. That's what happened to me. Most people take the deal because there's a lot of pressure when you're looking at time.

JM: Did you have police stop by your house for questioning? If not please give us details on how you came to be arrested.
Shawanda Miller: No. Only time they'd stop by is when a warrant would be issued.
Jeremy: no
Chuck: I was pulled over and arrested for a DUI.

JM: What as court like? Please give as many details as you recall.
Shawanda Miller: There would be 2 different court hearings. Basically the people in jail, court would be held over at the jail. Then other court hearings would be at main court house or one of the service centers. You'd walk in give name, talk to the public defender if you chose to, or you could talk to the prosecutor. Generally you would be there approximately 2 - 2 1/2 hours. Sometimes, court would be held over until the afternoon court which starts at 1:00 pm and sometimes you wouldn't get in front of the judge until 3:00 or 4:00 pm depending how busy the court was.
Jeremy: Court was just the arraignment. I went in front of the judge and even before she mentioned my charge she said that it looks like i turned myself in so she said she is going to release me. Even my Public Defender didnt have to say anything!
Chuck: Well, you're worried about your case, about what's going to happen, what's your going to say. I had a private lawyer so I felt a little be better with that but it's still very stressful.

JM: What were your original charges? What did you end up being convicted of?
Chuck: Driving while intoxicated.