|
The writer has been fighting his case himself recently, having despaired of the Public Pretender’s Office (or should that be Public Defender’s Office?), and, on Friday, after receiving a typed copy of his “Petition to the Supreme Court of California for a Writ of Review,” at 10:00 a.m. he requested (politely) that the Prowler make me a few copies. He took the Petition and my request for 13 copies and disappeared elsewhere. (The Supreme Court likes lots of copies!) Late Friday afternoon he returned my request slip with one (yes o-n-e—one (1) photocopy—(No, Nil, zero, zip, originals.) With the notation that the Jail will only make 6 copies. I asked him what he did with my papers and he said that he had returned them—So I pointed out that the original papers had original (ink-pen) signatures, and the photocopy had copies. Oopsers!! “For” says he, “the Sergeant has the original.” “Why?” I asked. “It’s a mistake,” said he. “But the Jail has no right to keep my original Court Documents or to make copies.” “It’s a misunderstanding—he thought you wanted him to file them.” “Male Bovine Excrement,” Said I, “It’s theft, stealing.” The Deputy departed in deep distress, muttering imprecations. So I filed a Grievance (he had to sign off on it even?!! Accusing the Jail of Obstruction of Justice, and suggesting they peruse California Penal Code §484—theft defined. Next morning, May 28, 2005, my original Court Documents are still in “never-never-land,” and I asked the Deputy (Correctional Officer Thompson) what was happening as I had to file them, to which he replied “blah-blah-blah.” I verbally iterated (that’s a neat word for told the **** again), that it was a case of theft and a violation of Penal Code §484—he left muttering more imprecations (possibly meaning that he intended not including me in his list for Hanukkah cards this year.) A short time later he proudly handed me my original documents and another 12 copies—hot from the photocopier. He said “It is all a misunderstanding—I actually did these yesterday,” I said “then why are they still hot?” —blank stare— I then pointed out that they would all have to be done over as the date was now wrong. He became mildly agitated and blurted out, “You’re on Crank” and stormed off muttering more imprecations. (I’ll have to get a list of them—some of them were originals, but personally I don’t think I truly look like a cow’s ass.) A few minutes later I was called to Booking, where I informed the Sergeant of the conversation, and that I am not on Crank. My instincts were to demand an inquiry, but common sense dictated that I accept the apology of the Sergeant and we dispatched the document. The document—a Petition to the State Supreme Court were duly filed by mail. One would not be blamed for thinking that Keystone changed it’s name to Shasta, and the Keystone Cops became the Shasta County Sheriff’s Department. . . After all, it is unlawful to misappropriate copies of legal documents before they are filed in the Court—And, as soon as said papers are filed the D.A. gets a copy automatically. Rather bumbling of the Staff to get caught like that— — — But, knowing the caliber of some of them, not surprising. Moshe I. Stein
|