[hider=Better Get A Lawyer - Part Four][COLOR=GRAY][INDENT][INDENT][i] [color=white]"So... Are we all ready to go?"[/color] [color=darkgoldenrod]"Don't talk to my client."[/color] Banjo replied, rising to his feet to take the conversation elsewhere, away from the defence bench. [color=white]"What's the problem, we have a plea agreement, yes?"[/color] Banjo turned back to Edgar and quietly said, [color=darkgoldenrod]"It just makes a good, solid general rule."[/color] Before turning back to face the younger Assistant District Attorney. [color=darkgoldenrod]"It would certainly seem that way, but I've had enough dealings with the State to know that these things can often spin on fifty cent bit, and disintegrate before your eyes. Is that what I'm looking at, prosecutor?"[/color] [color=white]"No, no... Everything's signed sealed and good to go on our end. Just pending the actual plea."[/color] Edgar pulled at his sleeve, to get Banjo's attention and Banjo directed the prosecutor back to his bench with his eyes, before raising his eyebrows to his client asking him what he needed. [color=antiquewhite]"What happens again here, man. This seems like a lot. I thought I was just taking the one."[/color] He pointed, the courtroom was full and bustling. [color=darkgoldenrod]"This isn't all about you."[/color] Banjo clarified, swirling his finger to gesture to the crowd. [color=darkgoldenrod]"Preliminary process. The judge will be taking pleas, setting court dates, a bunch of people. Not just you. Some are after you on the docket, then there's court reporters keeping tabs on what's going to be coming down the line."[/color] [color=antiquewhite]"So what exactly happens? I don't want to blow this."[/color] [color=darkgoldenrod]"You want a full play by play..? Alright, the judge will come out. All rise. You stand. When everyone sits. You sit. Judge will get introduced, the prosecution introduces themselves, case number, I get up, introduce myself, say I'm defending you. Your charges - now one charge - is read out, you're asked how you plead. Then it's your line... Maybe the judge will ask a follow up question whether you're aware of what you're doing and the consequences of your plea. You say yes. That bailiff comes over and puts cuffs on you."[/color] [color=antiquewhite]"And that's good right, the deal will hold, yeah?"[/color] [color=darkgoldenrod]"Should do, yes. Technically the judge can overrule and reject or accept the plea deal, but--"[/color] [color=antiquewhite]"Wait-- what?!"[/color] Banjo atempted to pacify Edgar with a calming hand gesture. [color=darkgoldenrod]"Relax, it pretty much never happens."[/color] [color=antiquewhite]"Pretty much never?"[/color] [color=darkgoldenrod]"Plea bargain can't go ahead until the plea's entered in open court, and the plea bargain's accepted by the judge."[/color] [color=antiquewhite]"But-But-- what's the judge got to do with it? You already negotiated it with the prosecution."[/color] [color=darkgoldenrod]"It's practically a formality. Judges who interfere with these things... it doesn't reflect well on 'em. Maybe I might be a little more wary if it was a judge who was leaving the bench to get into conservative politics... looking to set a 'tough on crime' record. But even then they'd be burning bridges and jading their prestige. I wouldn't worry about it."[/color] [color=dodgerblue]"All rise, for Justice Maria Villanueva."[/color] The bailiff called. All in attendance rose to their feet. [color=darkgray][b]"I am going to say this once now, and will be disappointed if I have to repeat myself. I like to keep things moving briskly, we've a lot on the docket and I'd like to have as few needing to return tomorrow as possible. The wheels of justice move a lot more freely when everyone abides by the rules, those who drag their feet will raise my ire. You do not want to be someone who raises my ire. Now, first please, bailiff."[/b][/color] The bailiff read the case number, and the young ADA rose to his feet in anticipation. [color=white]"Your Honour, I am Tad Pai--"[/color] An explosion went off between Banjo's ears as the prosecutor introduced himself. He turned slightly and his eyes narrowed, with a new determined resolve upon his face. [color=white]"--resenting the State of New Mexico."[/color] A year. A month. A minute. It didn't matter anymore. Banjo had no intention of pleading out for his client to eat any more shit for-- to plead out to [b]THIS[/b] fuckin' guy. But the client... As he ran his mouth, Banjo whispered in a hushed tone. [color=darkgoldenrod]"You know... a thought occurs to me. I don't know who you were driving for, maybe it was friends, maybe it was... other people you don't know. But I am wondering, how well you know these people..."[/color] He looked up, Judge Villanueva was still paying attention to the prosecutor. Presumably making the most of the reprieve he'd been given to make a first impression before the judge. [color=darkgoldenrod]"...and what exactly they would make of things when they find out you've only been sentenced to a year in prison for trafficking. On a plea deal."[/color] [color=antiquewhite]"What?!"[/color] Edgar hissed. [color=darkgoldenrod]"Well, I mean close friends might believe you and trust that we didn't have to do anything to get the one year. It was overreach on the prosecution's end and you had someone who could actually call them on it. But, if the people who owned what you were driving [b]DIDN'T[/b] know you, and heard you only got a year. They might... question things."[/color] Things started to race through the mind of Edgar. His safety. His mother's... As ADA Tad wrapped things up and sat down, Banjo got to his feet. [color=darkgoldenrod]"Y'r Honour, Banjo De León for the defence. My client, Edgar Martinez..."[/color] The Judge waved him to a stop which he promptly abided by. She'd heard enough and had enough of her time wasted already by the prosecutor's early meanderings. [color=darkgray][b]"To the crux of things, you've been charged with Section 30-31-20 trafficking a controlled substance, Edgar Martinez, how do you plead?"[/b][/color] Edgar wobbled slightly and very clearly wanted to be anywhere but here. He wanted five more minutes to think about what his lawyer had just thrown at him. He mentioned it [b]NOW[/b]? Where was this before? [color=antiquewhite]"N-- Not Guilty, your Honour."[/color] Judge Villanueva's eyebrows raised in surprise. He had a plea bargain in place, the prosecution had just said. For a one year sentence, for a crime which could send him to prison for nine years. [color=darkgray][b]"Are you sure? Are you aware of the consequences of your decision here today?"[/b][/color] [color=antiquewhite]"Yes, your Honour."[/color] He said, firmer now. Resolve returning after a decisionhad been made. Even if this was a roll of the dice, he would do it with conviction, and pray it wouldn't result in his own. [color=antiquewhite]"I did not do this."[/color] Banjo's face creased as he tried to cover his smile as he heard his client's determined tone. This he could sell. So far it seemed Edgar had the nerves of a man pressured to take a sweetheart plea, whose stutter came from the choice of leaving it behind for the unknown. And it covered the lie well. Innocent men get pressured to take pleas as well. Happens every day. The trial date was set, and Banjo wrote it on his legal pad, more to have the act commit it to memory than a real need. As his mind raced to the next step. [color=antiquewhite]"I hope you're more than just a negotiator, man..."[/color] [color=darkgoldenrod]"Trial attorney. Negotiations are just something I'm good at."[/color] [color=antiquewhite]"So what's next?"[/color] [color=darkgoldenrod]"Oh, next is the most important part of the whole process..."[/color] [color=darkgoldenrod]"...I'm gunna go call my wife."[/color] Edgar stood perplexed. [color=antiquewhite]"So... you're gonna tell me the important part [b]AFTER[/b] you call your wife..? Or... what?"[/color] He pulled his phone and told him. [color=darkgoldenrod]"They're gonna take you to holding. The court's got cells before they bus you back. Don't talk to anybody. The number of innocent people who talked their way into a prison cell... astronomical. Hold tight, I'll make the call, and see you as soon as I can get there. Look at it this way, months in remand to the court date is better than a year in a prison afterwards."[/color] [color=antiquewhite]"Wait-- what call? What call, man!?"[/color] Banjo slid away down the aisle, phone in hand. The prosecutor stepped in front to block. [color=white]"What the Hell was that?"[/color] ADA Tad asked fuming. [color=white]"Some kind of 'fifty cent bit'."[/color] He quoted Banjo back to him. [color=darkgoldenrod]"I gotta take this."[/color] Banjo said, pointing to his phone and performing a half spin by the Assistant District Attorney, and continuing down the aisle. [color=white]"You've gotta--? --you're making an outbound call, asshole."[/color] He replied, but Banjo was already out of earshot. [color=white]"Asshole!"[/color] He repeated, if only for his own benefit. [/i] [/INDENT][/INDENT][hr][CENTER][img]https://images5.fanpop.com/image/photos/27900000/Alex-alex-pettyfer-27913840-500-238.gif[/img][/CENTER][indent][sub][COLOR=SILVER][B]Location:[/B][/COLOR] [I]Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court, Metropolitan Courthouse, Albuquerque, New Mexico[/I][/sub][sup][right][COLOR=SILVER][b]Better Get A Lawyer, Son: 1.04[/b][/COLOR] [I]And Get Your Haircut Way Up High[/I][/right][/sup][/indent][sub][hr][/sub][INDENT][sub][color=SILVER][B]Interaction(s):[/B][/COLOR] A Future Calliope - Not unfamiliar to [@PatientBean][/sub][SUP][RIGHT][COLOR=SILVER][b]Previously:[/b][/COLOR] [I]Get Yourself a Suit And Tie[/I][/right][/SUP] [INDENT] Banjo found himself a quiet adjunct room and nestled in to make his call. "Snow Bunny / Hot Boss" appeared on the display as his phone dialled and he pulled it to his ear. [color=F796A9]"Hello? I thought you had court today, or has something happened."[/color] Calliope answered the phone. She was adorned in a white blouse and pastel blue power pantsuit combination that flowed easily and could set the tone wordlessly in seconds. It also cost more than a young Banjo had expected to make in six months. But such things are expected of senior name partners of one of the biggest Civil Rights law firms in the United States. [color=darkgoldenrod]"I did... Preliminary hearing. Just been and gone."[/color] [color=F796A9]"Oh, so you're free today? You wanted to make plans?"[/color] [color=darkgoldenrod]"No, I--"[/color] He paused, taking a beat to try and think how this conversation might go. [color=darkgoldenrod]"--I need 'off the reservation'."[/color] [color=F796A9]"Oh."[/color] Calliope replied. It was a euphemism the pair had coined back when Banjo left his own practice and came to start working at her firm. Whilst he'd mainly cleaned up his act and calmed down considerably over the years, he still had his moments. Times where he needed to cut loose and-- engage the more chaotic parts of his own personality. It was part of his unwritten agreement with her in working there, that one case a year he could take and get 'free rein'. He'd cut all communications with any senior partners in order to maintain a degree of plausible deniability should any of his actions be questioned by the BAR or other authorities, and be allowed to handle his own case however he saw fit. Any of his actions, the buck would stop with him, perhaps there'd be a reputational ding by association, but he'd be viewed as his own element and absorb all of the responsibility and liability. [color=F796A9]"Has it been-- it hasn't been a year already? When was the Benítez trial?"[/color] [color=darkgoldenrod]"Trial date was set thirteen months ago."[/color] Calliope didn't like how that was phrased. [color=F796A9]"Yes. And when exactly was the trial date?"[/color] [color=darkgoldenrod]"..."[/color] Calliope had hit on something and she knew it. She didn't need to be in the same room as him to read him like a book. [color=darkgoldenrod]"About eleven months..."[/color] He mumbled. [color=F796A9]"Mmm..."[/color] [color=darkgoldenrod]"Okay, okay... alright... My birthday's coming up?"[/color] He said pleadingly. [color=F796A9]"I already bought your present from Soma."[/color] She replied. No bargaining chip there. He furrowed his brow, until a realisation crossed his mind. [color=darkgoldenrod]"Wait-- Soma doesn't sell menswea-- oh."[/color] He chuckled as the gears clicked at the name of the city's high-end lingerie boutique. His mind raced over what else he had to barter with. Oh. Oh no... He closed his eyes and hit himself over the head with the phone a few times. [color=darkgoldenrod]"It... occurs to me... that Easter is coming."[/color] [color=F796A9]"Yes?"[/color] [color=darkgoldenrod]"I could--"[/color] He began talking through gritted teeth. [color=darkgoldenrod]"--be civil. To your father. Over Easter."[/color] [color=F796A9]"Boy, you really, really want this one don't you? Innocent?"[/color] [color=darkgoldenrod]"..."[/color] Calliope considered the weight of his silence. [color=F796A9]"Oh no... You drew that new ADA from New York and just found out his name, didn't you..?"[/color] [color=darkgoldenrod]"I am not pleading out to a guy named--"[/color] [color=F796A9]"Oh, Andrew..."[/color] His brain almost short-circuited as she used the name in disappointment. One of the main ways she'd use it. [color=darkgoldenrod]"He's a prick, anyway. Ambitious over-extending bastard... All these young prosecuters need to be broken in anyway..."[/color] He began to justify. [color=F796A9]"So... Easter. Do you mean it?"[/color] She dragged himback to the negotiating table. Closing the deal. [color=darkgoldenrod]"Well, if I could walk it back to just being civil to your mother, I'd prefer it..."[/color] [color=F796A9]"We'll be there all day."[/color] She reminded him. [color=darkgoldenrod]"If you're holdin' me to it, yeah... I can do it."[/color] He was pretty sure he could anyway. Probably. [color=F796A9]"Well, I suppose then. 'Off the reservation' it is."[/color] [color=darkgoldenrod]"Well, good. ..."[/color] [color=darkgoldenrod]"..."[/color] A heavy waited pause hung over the phone. [color=F796A9]"What? What is it..?"[/color] [color=darkgoldenrod]"So about this birthday present..."[/color] [color=F796A9]"Oh my god..!"[/color] [color=darkgoldenrod]"What, I'm not looking for photos or anything... I'll settle for a vague description..."[/color] [color=F796A9]"You're unbelievable!"[/color] She pulled her blouse away from her chest as if to let out the heat, whilst shaking her head down the phone. [color=darkgoldenrod]"So you've been known to tell me... What? Sometimes I like to 'shake the box' and think about what I'm gonna get."[/color] He reasoned. [color=F796A9]"No!"[/color] [color=darkgoldenrod]"No?"[/color] [color=F796A9]"No."[/color] Calliope said, wide flustered smile across her face in her office, thankful that the call was made whilst she was alone with her door closed. [color=darkgoldenrod]"Well... can't blame a fella f'r tryin'... Talk to you later, yeah?"[/color] [color=F796A9]"Bye, love. See you tonight."[/color] [color=darkgoldenrod]"Will do. Don't work too late."[/color] He hung up the call, and left the quiet room. Warm woods gave way to cold cement as he made his way down to the court's holding cells to see his client, smoothly passing through the bureaucracy with the earned familiarity of experience. [color=antiquewhite]"So what's the word, man. What's this big thing? Did it work out?"[/color] Edgar asked, as he approached his cell, they hunched into one corner to talk. [color=darkgoldenrod]"As it so happens it did. Big break just came your way. You just got what every prosecutor in the Four Corners States region wakes up in a cold sweat at the thought of."[/color] [color=antiquewhite]"What's that?"[/color] The corners of his mouth curled upwards unsheathing his full smile. 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