When Criminal Judges Become Prosecuters

Today, I witnessed a routine problem that I see developing in some courts. The judges are becoming impartial and instead of calling balls and strikes they are throwing the pitches. A defendant was representing himself and agreed to a plea with the District Attorney.The judge modified the plea to thirty days in jail and ordered the poor guy to jail. He was employed and a first time offender.The lesson is never go to court in Sumner County ,Tennessee without a criminal defense attorney. A simple theft case results in a thirty day jail sentence.

Murfreesboro Domestic Violence Procedure

I was in court today in Murfreesboro , Tennessee on a domestic violence case. The procedure in The Rutherford County General Sessions is one of the strangest I have ever seen in my practice. First , you can't get a hearing or talk to the District Attorney until the alleged victim has spoken to a domestic violence coordinator.Then , the District attorney then speaks with the alleged victim and then discussion with the defense attorney.It turns into a all day process. Guess who funds the domestic violence coordinators ? All those who plead guilty in Rutherford County pay $45.00 in court costs to fund these positions. Does anybody think this is right ?