Hillsborough County Jail

Pre-sentencing

Interview with Aaron

JM: Tell us about the pre-sentencing process:
Aaron: I was brought to the jail and I spent three hours being processed (waiting around) in the initial processing area. I was put into one part of the jail for one day and was then transferred to the trustee pod the next morning. That day I went before the judge and was told that I would be held without bail because I was on hold for Pinellas County jail for violating the terms of my probation.

JM: Did you have police stop by your house for questioning?
Aaron: No, I was arrested at the SweetBay food center in Tampa,FL and was driven to Hillsborough Jail (a.k.a. Orient Road Jail).

JM: What was your court appearance like?
Aaron: I waited in a holding area for a few hours with 35+ other inmates and was eventually escorted to the court and was coached by two members of the public defense counsel as to what to say and what not to say to the judge. Everyone was dressed up in orange outfits and the spanish speaking inmates went first before the judge and the ladies went next. My last name begins with a "W" so I went next to last. I was offered thirty days and I did not take the deal because of the advice I was given by the public defender which was "don't take any deals or you will be given an adjudication of guilt." From the time I entered the courtroom to the time I was escorted out lasted two hours. On the other hand, from the time I went in front of the judge to the time I was excused lasted only thirty seconds.