August 11, 2011 News & Politics | Feature

What is pot prosecution good for?

Little rhyme or reason in reefer cases

By Mick Dumke @mickeyd1971 and Ben Joravsky @bennyjshow

Sign up for our newsletters Subscribe

Page 4 of 4

THE OPERATOR

Lawrence has been arrested for marijuana possession so many times that he can't recall the exact number. His trips to court have given him a sense of how to play the system, but in this most recent instance he might have been too smart for his own good.

With a warrant in hand, police showed up at his family's Ravenswood apartment on March 9. When they asked him who he was, Lawrence—worried there was a warrant outstanding for one of his previous arrests—lied and gave them his brother's name.

Bad move.

The warrant they were trying to serve was actually for his brother. Realizing his blunder, Lawrence finally told the police he was really Lawrence. The cops charged him with obstructing information, a misdemeanor. He spent an evening in police lockup.

But Lawrence skipped his April court date, and this time a warrant really was issued for his arrest. He was picked up a week later and had to post a $300 bond.

When Lawrence was back in court on August 2, he asked for a continuance so he could hire another lawyer. "I want to get proper counsel," he said.

The judge told Lawrence to sit down and think about it. Lawrence then went out to the lobby and made a call on his cell phone. A few minutes later, the judge announced that a message had been left for him from an attorney who was interested in representing Lawrence. He told Lawrence to be back in court with the attorney the next morning.

The next morning Lawrence was there, but without the lawyer. "My father called his office," Lawrence said. "But he didn't come and I've been trying all morning to reach him."

The judge decided to give Lawrence until September to hire an attorney. He told Lawrence to get right on it.

Outside the courtroom, Lawrence expressed annoyance that the case hadn't simply been dismissed. "I'm trying to relocate to Indiana in a couple of weeks," he said. "Now I've got this hanging over my head."

Full text

« previous 1 2 3 4

Tags: Feature, Cook County, Marijuana prosecution, Toni Preckwinkle, Garry McCarthy, Anita Alvarez, crime

More Feature »

Support Independent Chicago Journalism: Join the Reader Revolution

We speak Chicago to Chicagoans, but we couldn’t do it without your help. Every dollar you give helps us continue to explore and report on the diverse happenings of our city. Our reporters scour Chicago in search of what’s new, what’s now, and what’s next. Stay connected to our city’s pulse by joining the Reader Revolution.

Are you in?

Reader Revolutionary $35/month →

Rabble Rouser $25/month →

Reader Radical $15/month →

Reader Rebel $5/month →

Not ready to commit? Send us what you can!

One-time donation →