A Lesson Learned

Last week I went to court; no, not for me, but I provided a ride for a certain relative who found himself without a car, job, lots of fines, and some unresolved issues. Sitting there, I noticed the individuals who sat around me, some kids and their guardians, lots of attorneys, several court employees, clerks, bailiffs, etc. All but two seemed to be there for drug-related offenses.

We had arrived early to please the court and avoid another failure to show an arrest warrant, then sat for several hours as one defendant after another stood before the court listening to the charges against them, and some entered pleas. Some defendants sat in the jury box, in jail jumpsuits, hands and feet shackled.

After several hours a large contingent of police officers from a local town began to enter the court and stand along the windows and outside walls. This was interesting to me and the other observers, not only for the growing numbers but also for what purpose could all these officers, of all shapes, sizes, and ranks, be here? The question was soon answered.

In 1999 a defendant, we will call him Mr. S, committed a series of crimes. On the night in question, the defendant had been consuming alcohol to such an extent he unknowingly pulled into a stranger’s driveway, and with his foot on the brake, the truck, still in gear, fell asleep. While an officer investigated a call of a suspicious vehicle, Mr. S awoke, and a fight ensued. The officer called for backup, and as a second officer approached the vehicle, Mr. S ran over him, crushing all the ribs on one side of his body, puncturing a lung, and causing life-changing back injuries.

In the courtroom, Mr. S apologized for his bad choices and the results to hundreds of people. Consequently, both officers told their side of the story, including how Mr. S had been on the run for the last 13 years, continuing to commit several more alcohol-related crimes. The Judge listened intently, recognizing the large contingent of officers there to show their support to the two who had been injured by this man.

The most interesting moments were, as the second officer told of his experience, how police officers never consider the fact they may be the victim of a crime. He related life issues the incident had caused; he spoke of holding no malice, and he spoke of the need for mercy and justice. Mercy for Mr. S, and all he had gone through and suffered, justice for society and the laws of the land. As he spoke, one could hear a pin drop. I was moved to tears by the loving spirit which filled the room. I began to search my soul to see if I, too, could be so forgiving of any others that had offended me in much smaller matters.

As the Judge reviewed the situation and weighed the compelling testimonies, he finally pronounced the sentence. Mr. S received ten years in jail, a fine of twenty-three thousand dollars, and the forgiveness of those he had offended. Mr. S was taken out of the courtroom and off to prison. The officers hugged their fallen comrades and quietly left the room.

This was not what any of us expected to see in court that day. However, I am thankful I did; for it has changed me for the better and shown me a higher life to lead, and I was able to witness the Spirit of a loving, forgiving Father.