Free Caught in the Devil's Sheets by Jesse Johnson Page A

comes out of our room, freshly shaved and in a crisp pair of Levi’s and a black button-up shirt. The gash above his forehead puts a ding in his otherwise very professional appearance.
    “Ready?” he asks, and I can tell he is nervous too.
    I grab my keys from the hanger and we head out to my car. “Have a good run this morning?” I ask once he’s settled in.
    “Always,” he says, and a boyish grin takes his face. Oh brother!
    I pull into the business center a bit early. Jaime and I make our way into the building and take the elevator up to James’s office. We’re greeted by his receptionist who notifies him that we are here.
    In a few minutes James comes out and greets us. He holds the door to his private office open and Jaime and I take the two seats facing his desk. James maneuvers around the desk and takes a seat straightening his tie and shuffling around some paperwork. I can’t fight my anxious feelings.
    “So, as you both know, we’re taking this case to trial. I will be choosing a jury next week. The prosecutor hasn’t finished putting together the full case against you, but from what they have shown me thus far, it’s going to be hard to fight the possession and assault charges.”
    My heart constricts as I hear him say this.
    “But, I am confident that we can beat the intent to sell charge, and after we show a jury the pictures of you sister, I feel we’ll be able to get a short sentence, if not probation, for the assault on Mr. Harrison,” James finishes speaking and looks at us to see if we have any questions.
    “What’s the worst case scenario?” I ask, scared to hear the answer.
    James clears his throat. “Well, worst case scenario is he is found guilty of all charges, in which the maximum sentence could be up to 10 years. With California’s half time sentencing, he’d serve five.” Before he has a chance to finish, I have an overwhelming anxious feeling. James puts a hand up. “But like I said, I am fairly confident we’ll get the intent to sell charge dropped before we even go to trial, which brings the max sentence down to 6 years of which he would serve three. However it’s highly unlikely with Jaime’s small record that they would give him the max sentence. I think that after the jury hears…” He pauses, looking through his paperwork for a name. “Erica’s testimony and after we review Mr. Harrison’s extensive record, the judge most likely won’t sentence Jaime to more than a year, of which he will serve 6 months.”
    Even 6 months seems like way too long, but I guess compared to 10 years, it would be a blessing.
    “What are the chances I will just get probation?” Jaime asks, shifting in is chair.
    “Well, it’s possible. In fact I wanted to talk to you about agreeing to put yourself into drug counseling classes. If the judge thinks you are a recovering addict and you agree to get help on the court’s terms, it may help you avoid jail time.”
    Jaime sighs and rolls his eyes at the thought of having to go through any kind of rehab. I can’t imagine any kind of drug rehabilitation is worse the jail.
    James shuffles some more papers around on the desk before resuming his counsel. “Right, now the trial is set to start on Monday, May 5 th , unless the prosecutor requests an extension, in which we can use that to our advantage. The D.A. is looking to file felony charges for cocaine and a misdemeanor for the pot if they can’t prove intent to sell. While you’re here, I want to talk to you briefly about the trial proceedings.” James goes over all the technical stuff, most of which I don’t understand. “We have agreed to plead guilty to the possession of cocaine charge.” James stops to look at Jaime who nods in agreement.
    Next, James pushes a small packet of paper in his direction. “I’ll need you to sign here then,” he says using his pen to point to the signature line. “I will go ahead and file this today,” he says as Jaime signs the disclosure. I