Page 48 September 2011 Courts Continued from page 46 The county attorney and the commissioner must review 10 to 40, quarter-inch thick police reports before their next court session. They can work two to three court sessions in a day, meaning that one judge can process up to 120 sessions a day. Court sessions are spaced three hours apart during the 24 hours: 2 a.m., 5 a.m., 8 a.m., 11 a.m., 2 p.m., 5 p.m., 8 p.m. and 11 p.m., Charnell said. The county attorney and commissioner are making sure there was probable cause to arrest the defendant. If there is not, the commissioner must let the defendant go. This can happen when reports are not written well enough or in depth enough by the of fi cer, Charnell said. “This pc (probable cause) statement has to meet the requirements of the (statute book) or else, it could be a murder case, (and) he has to release him,” Charnell said. “(We) deal with serious crimes. That is when your blood pressure goes up.” Before the 24-hour time limit is up, the defendant is brought into the courtroom. It is cold and bright and metal benches are bolted to the fl oor. Anyone from a person charged with possession of marijuana to someone charged with homicide sits in the same room waiting to be called to the podium, Charnell said. This short process is the fi nal step in initial appearances, but it is the only part people on the outside get to see, through a viewing room TV that only shows the defendant. Here, a commissioner will determine if a defendant should be released, if bond and how much should be posted or if the defendant must remain in custody. A bond can reach up to $1 million if the commissioner decides that the defendant may attempt to fl ee or can cause harm or damage if allowed to leave, initial appearance Commissioner Brian D. Kaiser said. If a county attorney is interested in a case, he or she will appear during one of three court sessions during a shift and announce to the commissioner what he or she thinks the release conditions should be, Kaiser said. The commissioner makes the fi nal decision. The defendant then sits until all other cases are reviewed and determined by the commissioner. The jobs held by the people behind the scenes of initial appearance court may not always be easy, Charnell said. “It’s a serious place. I mean you’re in a jail,” Charnell said. “You hear that door, and that one there locks.” And although he doesn’t believe he can say it is particularly enjoyable, “it’s more interesting than going to your of fi ce and sitting at a desk.” P e d i a t r i c D e n t i s t r y & O r t h o d o n t i c s www.camelback pedoor tho.com 44th Street & Camelback Road 602-595-3531 V isit us and see the the many ways we can care for your family. D r . J e n M i r a b e l l i B o a r d C e r t i f i e d O r t h o d o n t i s t D r . R o b M i r a b e l l i B o a r d C e r t i f i e d P e d i a t r i c D e n t i s t 6423 E. Thomas Road • Scottsdale, AZ 85251 480-656-4600 • www.arcadiawd.com A Ponderosa Lumber Company ARCADIA ARCADIA W I N D O W & D O O R W I N D O W & D O O R ARCADIA W I N D O W & D O O R Windows • Doors • Kitchens • Shutters & Blinds Hardware • Moulding and much more! Best Prices...Period. FAIR PRICE ASSURANCE: IF YOU FIND A LOWER PRICE WE WILL MATCH IT & PAY YOU 25% OF THE DIFFERENCE 6423 E Thomas Road S Scottsdale AZ 85251 Visit us at our 3,000 square foot showroom! FREE GIFT with purchase of $20 or more. Have you heard? After secretly obtaining all the delicious candle recipes from The Candle & Gift Factory Outlet, GLOBAL HOME is now creating fresh candles daily! As always these candles will heighten your senses as never before. Same familiar location, same great candles. So c’mon in and rediscover the old location stocked full of candles, gifts and rooms of accessories!

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