New Britain herald., 1928-05-26
SMALL TOWN COURT NO COMEDY SHOW
Officials in Rude Surroundings Usually Smart Business Men


 cidents occur during session of court in small town or village. even more so than in city court. A city court is modern in every way. The judge sits up on his high stand where everybody can see him and the court room is fitted out in faultless style with new furniture and modern desks. Everything in a city court room adds to the legal atmosphere Of the place and spectators and pri- soners are generally impressed when they enter the room. solemn police men stand around tic court room and visitors are careful about their conduct
 A town court is generally held in . room in the town hall that is used for many purposes and there is lit- fle or nothing in its appearance to impress those present during q ses- sion. The judge sits In the front Of the room behind an ordinary table and in many cases he is forced to take down the testimony and per- form other clerical duties that are taken care of in city court by a clerk. Loose chairs are placed in the room in TONS and the prisoners sit in the first row. In important cases 1t does not take long to fill the room and many would-hc witnesses arc left disappointed. Incidentally many people in q small town gather much enjoyment by attending q session of the court. especially when one of the residents is the defendant. In place of the neatly uniformed policemen. the civilian clothed constables arc present to guard the prisoner
 However justice is meted out in q town court room just as efficiently e.s in city court. and, contrary to the general opinion. those appearing before the court are given fair chance to tell their side Of the story. Many people have the idea that if they are arrested for breaking an automobile law while passing throuh Q small town their case is absolute ly lost. The judge will listen to their storr. but according to modern mythology. he will disregard it and will. fine them 10 the highest extent allowed by the law. Many even claim that judge in a small court knows before the case is brought 10 court what sentence he will impose. This leads to many Interesting and anus ing cases.
 Defendants from a large city. sometimes appear before the judge and with an "lll show this hick where to get off look on their faces, proceed to explain to his honor where the local constable was wrong tn his charges. Their voices ring out In confident and precise manner and when they arc through they sit down with a. smile at the local guardian Of the law. In three out of four cases these loud" speakers are guilty and walk out of the court with an injured look on their faces after the judge has passed sentence. They are the ones who tell their friends to be careful while traveling through euch-and- such town be- cause you haven't chance if you arc caught. for the constables and judge are just dying to swell the treasury oi the town" This is mis- taken idea Money realized by fines from yiolators Of motor vehicle laws is turned over partly or entirely 10 he state motor vehicle department. h case where the town turns over the entire sum. the state repays the town by taking care of the state highways in the community and keeping them in good condition. '"
 Another type that appears before small town court is the contrite prisoner Figuring the judge and the test Of the court to be slow-w -witted and easy to impress he tell them in sorrowfu voice that it is his first offense or that he was so used 10 travelling at such-and-euch a speed ugh-this-and-that town or this- eNd-thc other highway that he didn't realize that he was travelling so fast or breaking any law. This argument 1falls flat because speed limit signs are posted in prominent places and the accused is often one of those
 
 stables do is to sit by the stove in & store and tell stories
 Constables of today have cars, for fhe most part. and are alert for drivers that use the roads for a speedway. A driver will obey traffic laws in a city to the utttermost be- cause he knows or thinks, that a policeman is watching him. The min- htc he hits the small town no inn pressive blue uniformed official sreets him and he proceeds to scare the hicks" as he caroms along the main streetIf he stopped to inquire, he would. in many cases find out that the so-cailed hicks were men rho conducted large business places In the cities and enjoyed important standing in the community.
 Cases involving local people cause much interest among the townpeo- pie They flock to the court and drink in every word of testimony