The Jury Reseats

"Sheriff, there were quite a number of e-mails between you and your higher ranking officers, is that true?"

"Sir, can you define e-mail?"

"An electronic device which goes over the internet," the prosecutor replied.

"I do use e-mail at work."

"Sheriff, once again, did you send e-mails to your higher ranking officers, to your staff regarding the incident leading up to and beyond the detainment of fifteen Latinos on your seat belt checkpoint along the T River?"

"I object to badgering the witness,"  the defense attorney replied.

"Please answer the question," the Judge said.

"I did," the Sheriff said in a whisper.

You could hear a pin drop in the courtroom.

"Did you write an e-mail to your Chief Deputy on your personal e-mail account?"

"I did."

"Are you aware of the Records Retention and Disposition Schedule for County Sheriff’s Offices,?"

"Yes."

"According to this document you signed off as being aware of this state policy almost four years ago," he says displaying the document for the Judge.

"Please enter this as People's Exhibit One,"

"Knowing this, having signed off on this statute, are you telling the court these state mandated documents are now missing?"

"Well, someone isn't doing their job," the Sheriff said.

Smiles filled the courtroom.  All eyes were focused on the Sheriff.

"You can be excused."

"The Court will be in recess until 9:30 a.m. tomorrow.  Sheriff, your office is to have a backlog on my desk when court convenes.  Defense,  please request these documents from the appropriate internet carrier be here by opening of court in the morning.  Failure to do so will mean the Sheriff will be held  in contempt of court.  If we do not have these documents, you will be held in a  Federal jail until the documents are made available.  My court will not, under any circumstances tolerate missing documents, " the Judge said.

"Court dismissed until 9:30 a.m. tomorrow."