DeKalb County Jail

Find DeKalb County Jail inmates...

Pre-sentencing

Interview with Joey, Bob, Anne, Beth, Gary and Cheev

JM: Tell us about the pre-sentencing process:
Joey: Long and frustrating
Bob: Spent about 12 hours in preliminary holding cell ("drunk tank"), then processed, dressed into jail uniforms, and sent upstairs to more long term cells.
Anne: I violated my probation - that's why I had to stay in jail for 46 days. My understanding was that when you get picked up for probation violation you have to stay in jail until you get a court date.
Beth: I am truly blessed that my case was dismissed.
Gary: Me and my Boyfriend were placed into the Holding tank for about 3 hours. Because we declared ourselves gay, we were segregated and had the whole tank to ourselves. After about an hour, a woman from inmate services interviewed us separately to see if we had any health conditions and to document our states of mind. After that, we waited another hour to be taken to a nurse to have a Tuberculosis test and to be fingerprinted and booked. We were then taken to the clothing area and given our jail clothes and had our personal items bagged and tagged.
Cheev: i went 4 a ticket i was kidnaped 4 3 weeks & 3 days with out going to court thay said i wasnt in the system i couldnt even bail out no visits no nothin & and im going to file charges

JM: Did you have police stop by your house for questioning? If not please give us details on how you came to be arrested.
Joey: No
Bob: Yes.
Anne: Yes, the police stopped by my house because my probation officer had a warrant issued for my arrest.
Beth: No
Gary: No. Before we were arrested we had no prior warning. They just showed up at about 11 am, said my car was in an accident and kicked the door in as soon as I opened it. The officers were rude, overly threatening and seemed trigger-happy.
Beth: no arrested by Avondale Estates_ traffic stop
Cheev: i was pulled over for a traffic violation my rights wasnt read to me or nothin

JM: What as court like? Please give as many details as you recall.
Joey: I felt like they rushed my case
Bob: Spent several hours waiting to be taken to court, then they transported us by bus to the county courthouse, spent a few hours in holding before and after court, then went via bus back to DeKalb county jail.
Anne: It was scary because I never been locked up before.
Beth: Ok, i arrived with my mother, then when it was time to check the schedule my name was not on there. So that was a good sign then a few minutes later someone came out of the courtroom and told me that my case was dismissed.
Gary: After a day of being in our Pod, we were taken to the Magistrate court in the middle of the night. The process was rushed and it seemed like the judge was overworked. The bail amount we got was maxed for our charges and we were carried back to the pod.
Beth: CORRUPT!!! They basically tell you how to plea. They try mental detainees without counsel. They put old tickets on you that you have been tried for and if you plead not guilty they set a cash only bond on you so high that you cant afford to get out until your court date which they set 45 days after your appearance. We know they did not make their quota for this year but this is ridiculous. Internal Affairs need to come from Washington or some higher courts. it is unconstitutional what goes on down their. They need cameras or close it down!!
Cheev: they didnt take me to court 4 over 3 weeks

JM: What were your original charges? What did you end up being convicted of?
Gary: For me, it was Attempted Armed Robbery. I haven't had my court yet.
Beth: DUS on 07/18/2011. My license has been reinstated since 04/01/2011. The charge they held me on for 15 days, I had already been tried for in state court on 07/12/2011- got 80hrs of community service due by November 11, 2011. I plan to sue the city of Avondale Estates and Recorders Court- they took 15 days of my life from me, my childern, school, lost my job etc.
Cheev: driving on a suspended lic