“And next thing you know, you’re in jail”

A photograph of Tyree near the Palo Alto Courthouse.

Excerpt from Tyree, a defendant at the Palo Alto Courthouse in summer 2022.

Interviewer: Can you walk me through a little bit what your experience was like today? 

Tyree: Um, it’s been cool. You know, well, you never know what judges are gonna do or lawyers, you know. They’re so stern and strict. You never know what they're gonna do. You know, they might get upset with you and reprimand you and stuff. Yeah […] but you just never know, so. You always get, um, an uncomfortable feeling going to court, I believe, you know. But today was kinda a little more pleasant. I kinda, kinda. I kinda know, I kinda feel like I know so many people here, from, in my courtroom—the judge and my lawyer. I kinda know him, so kind of [get a feeling?], you know.

Interviewer: When you say that you've known them like is—have you had previous encounters with them?  

Tyree: I was probably at least over ten; both of them, close to ten encounters with them, and it’s all been pretty pleasant, so.

Interviewer: Okay 

Tyree: I believe they are pretty fair judges and public defenders. So, you know, I feel comfortable talking to them.   

Interviewer: Okay.  

Tyree: It’s nice, it’s cool. Cuz I'm from Santa Clara County, and you know, you never know what’s gonna happen. You know, you might get some, um, some, uh, public defender or DA that’s just not on the same page you're on. And just, uh, next thing you know, you’re in jail or something. Or you case didn’t get handled like you wanted it to and you gotta pay off all these fines and things you didn’t really think you’d have to do you, so. You know, it’s cool.