judge’s order

THIS POST IS A CONTINUATION OF THE PREVIOUS ONE

I asked the marshal on the ground floor of the courthouse , after I’d gone through the security check , how I might go about getting a judge’s order . He suggested that I go to a courtroom and talk to the bailiff there .

I tried that and was referred to the information desk on the second floor of the courthouse  . I went over  there and waited in line . There were only a few of us waiting ; but there were only two clerks inside and the process was slow . The word  ” slow” , used here , is an understatement . The use of the word ” understatement ” , here, is also an understatement . You get the idea .

But , finally , my turn came and I asked the girl at the window how I might go about getting a judge’s order . I briefly explained my little predicament to her . She got up from her chair left .

I was aware of the stares of the people who had been waiting in the slow line behind me , but I didn’t look back . I didn’t turn and smile a comradely grin to indicate that we were all of us in this molasses-in-January together . We were all waiting , thinking similar thoughts . Weren’t we ?

I knew what their thoughts were, though  : Now , what the hell’s this guy asking for  ? How long is this gonna take ? It takes all kinds ! ( feel free to add  expletives here ) .

And , eventually , the girl came back to the window . She told me that she had asked her supervisor . Her supervisor had suggested that I write a letter to a judge . This girl had no clue and her supervisor had no clue , I’m pretty sure , how a guy goes about getting a judge’s order .

Thanks , I said . Thanks for nothing . They should change the sign above the window to :  INFORMATION . OR NOT .

When I got home I called a Superior Court judge . There’s a list of them on Google , with phone numbers . I got her clerk and quickly explained my quest .

That’s a new one for me , he said . What year did you say that case was ?

1927 .

And Archives told you you need a court order ?  I never heard that one before .  He suggested that I call Department 200 and ask them . He gave me the phone number .

I got a helpful woman on the phone at Department 200 . She asked me if the defendants were juveniles . If they were juveniles then the file would have a confidential hold on it . They were juveniles , but at least one of them had been tried as an adult . That could be it ,  she said .

I explained to her that I wasn’t an attorney — didn’t know anything about filing this form or that writ or that order , or whatever . She said , Just write a letter to the supervising judge and we’ll take it from there . Great ! She gave me the supervising judge’s name and an address to send my letter to .

So I’m waiting for a reply. I sent my letter . I hope that they don’t find out that I took photos in the bunker under the courthouse .  That might mess things up . I might get to see a judge , in that case , but for the wrong reason .