Court Observation Papers

I attended the District Court at 201 West Picacho Ave on March 7, 2011. I sat in on judge Mike Murphy's court. Judge Murphy started court promptly at 9:00 a.m. but before I got into the court I had to wait in a long line of about 30 people. then when I finally got to the court house door I had to go through a metal detector where I had to take off my belt and shoes and everything metal on my persons. Then I asked one of the officers working the metal dictator how I could ask to sit in on a criminal court that was going on this morning. She then directed me to court room four. I asked the bailiff if it was ok for me to sit in on court today for my criminal justice class, and if the case where criminal matters. The bailiff then told me that

At approximately 5:28 p.m., I arrived on scene and was briefed by Officer Nicholson. I was provided with the name of the victim Amanda Holmes (white, female DOB 10/17/1982). Officer Nicholson advised me that the victim was last seen by her roommate at approximately 12:00 a.m. I then spoke to the roommate to obtain consent to process the residence.

To explain the crime, the criminal involved in the crime tricked the woman into getting in her car by impersonating a parking attendant. He stole the woman’s purse and car keys and drove off with the woman’s vehicle. During the carjacking, the man tried to attack the woman with a screwdriver which resulted in the criminal being stabbed. (“Antonio Beaver”). The victim gave a very vague description of the criminal, mentioning that he was african american, was wearing a baseball cap, was 5’10, had crooked teeth, and had facial hair.

On Thursday, August 31, 2017 at approximately 2232 hours, I was dispatched to a residence across the street from 2220 University St in reference of a suspicious person inside of a black truck. Upon arrival I spoke to the complainant Ms. Delisa Smothers. Ms. Smothers stated that at approximately 2230 hours, an unknown black male went inside her neighbor's truck located across the street at 2221 University street.

On 07/14/2015 D/S Sorensen #6290 responded to 3571 Old Bartow Eagle Lake Road, Bartow in reference to a robbery with a firearm. Upon her arrival she met with the victim David Eugene Cody. D/S Sorensen learned that while the victim was standing outside of his residence an unknown black male with a bandana covering the lower part of his face approached him with a silver handgun. The unknown male stuck the handgun to the victim’s and demanded money. The victim got into struggle with the suspect, and during the struggle the bandanna fell off of the suspect’s face. The victim recognized the suspect. The victim gave a description of the suspect.

On Wednesday, 10/11/2016, I, Deputy Stacy Stark #1815 received a telephone call from Elaine B. Green (F/W, DOB: 07/03/1962). Green advised, her mother, Evelyn A. Yates (F/W, DOB: 06/19/2016) was a victim of a theft from her residence. Green requested I take the police report because I was familiar with the parties involved due to a report I took on 10/07/2016. See Case Number: 2016-7575. Green believed the suspect was Yates’s grandson, Christian C. Kistner (M/W, DOB: 11/18/1995).

On 08/07/15 at approximately 1820 hours, my partner (Ofcr. Vanlenzuela No.38161) and I (Ofcr. Nunez No.36181) were working North Hollywood patrol, assigned to unit 15A84 W5. At that time, we responded 10849 Fruitland Dr for an “Attempt 211 Suspect.” Comments of the call indicated the P/R was the wife of the victim Melvin Salinas. Suspect was described as a male black “transient” armed with a knife tried to take a vehicle from the parking garage Inc# 150807003722.

On 06/29/16 at 8:41pm, I was dispatched to 2706 Synder Court on a possible dangerous or vicious dog, owner known. I arrived at the location and spoke to Logan Liming and a female individual who was the victim’s Aunt. Mr. Liming and the female individual stated that the dog at 2704 Snyder Court was outside with a male minor on a leash. The dog got away from the minor and was running around the victim’s front yard. As the male minor was trying to capture the dog, the dog came towards victim Matthew Liming. Matthew Liming tried to back away from the dog, but was unable to get away and was bite/starch on his left forearm. Mr. Liming and the female individual held down the dog until the dog owner came out and got the dog. Mr. Liming wrote

On July 6, 2015, at approximately 1147 hours, I responded to 3706D Mt Vernon Ave, The Meter Wizard LLC for a robbery from person. Upon arrival, I spoke to Mr. Robert S. Cohen the victim in this case. Mr. Chon reported that a dark skinned black male entered his business and displayed a handgun. The suspect only said “give me your money”. Mr. Cohen gave the suspect his wallet and 9 dollars cash. The suspect ran through the alley in an unknown direction of travel.

On 11-25-16 at 1235 hours, Officer Calderon #2037 and I were dispatched to 1604 N Arroyo Boulevard regarding an attempt petty theft investigation. Upon our arrival, we met with Witness Michael Robert Trujillo, who is the resident at the above location. Trujillo told me the following information in summary:

Hello Sir/Madam in this report one will examine the importance of suggesting new recommendations for increasing the maximum prison sentence for offenders convicted of aggravated robbery, known as armed robbery. One will address issues of why our state legislature should consider changing the existing prison terms of those found guilty of armed robbery. As well address, the reason one believes this responsibility lays in the hands of legislators instead of judges, or parole boards. By examining the severity of armed robbery, rate of recidivism, budget needs, on crime, one will suggest that the minimum amount of time an offender of armed robbery is incarcerated should be increased.

Incoming assignment: Officers FG-1582 and TL-1231, report to 1910 West Cleveland Boulevard, suspect: male reported with weapon. Report,

On Friday, April, 4, 2014, I observed the Vanderburgh County Superior Court to observe different family law cases. The cases I heard involved contempt of court for failing to pay child support, failure to appear for a court appointed drug test, birth certificate affidavit, request for contest hearing time, and an issue of paternity case. Magistrate Judge Sheila M. Corcoran was presiding over the family court hearings. When entering the courthouse, I was greeted by security and advised to remove any cell phones, and/or, any other items that would trigger a metal detector. After this, I proceeded straight to look for the family courtroom. After roaming around mindlessly for a couple minutes, I decided to ask the courthouse officer monitoring

On February 22 at 1900 hours Officer X reported to Gas Station Y (GSY) at 1122 1st Street, in regards to an armed robbery. When Officer X arrived at the scene he began speaking with an employee at GSY, Gregg McDuck. Mr. McDuck says that he was clocked in when the robbery occurred. Mr. McDuck described the suspect as a black male wearing glasses, a knitted blue hat, and gloves that were possibly white in color. The suspect pointed a handgun at Mr. McDuck and told him to open the cash register and to lay down on the ground. The suspect jumped over the counter and took $155 out of the cash register. The suspect then headed northwest from the gas station.

The basic division in the structure of criminal courts is between the lower criminal courts – the local courts, Children’s court and Coroner’s court – and the higher criminal courts – the District Court and the Supreme Court. In observing proceedings at the Local, District and Supreme Courts over a period of three days a number of aspects of the criminal justice system were made apparent. The administration, processes and practices of the criminal trial are extremely varied dependent upon the level of criminal court being observed. The distinctions between the workings of the two courts revealed a number of the differences between summary proceedings and trial upon indictment. The cases observed served to