Scouty’s Weblog

Had attended a court session of my friend. First time in my life enter the Subordinate Court, so didn’t really know what to expect amidst the excitement.

Reached the Court Room pretty early, as the session starts at 9.30am. So was chilling outside the court room while looking at some of the lawyers walking past.

Soon it was time for everyone to enter the Court Room. Seat alone at the corner, as my friend wasn’t here yet. So start to observe the whole works of a typical court session. Soon the group people awaiting sentencing were brought into the Court Room, they are those who have been in remand and thus they were in the remand attire. Shortly the judge arrives, everyone rise at the shout of “Court”. That signify the start of the court session, and from this moment on, everything became very strict and solemn. No using of handphone was allowed during court session, and the police on duty had to remind a few of the people in the court room of that.

So one by one, each accused were called up the deck and face the charges brought against them. Some came with lawyers, or defence counsel. A few of the cases were pretty clear cut, plead guilty and wait for the sentence melted out by the judge. Some of the charges, I felt the accused were pushing their luck by trying to mitigate, cos they seem to make things worse, especially without a lawyer to help. A few were even more daring in their mitigation plead, till I think they are pushing their luck abit too much.  I know some of us viewing the whole session were like just plead guilty for god’s sake… before you make things worse.

Overall it was quite an eye-opener for me, the sad part about the whole thing was, those that were convicted to imprisonment were brought away in front of their family members. I can’t imagine the thoughts running through the mind of the convicted person and the family members present in the Court Room. It’s like the accused was standing on deck, and upon receiving the sentence melted out by the judge, if he/she is to be remand or imprison, he/she will be asked to take a seat at the deck, particulars copied down and handcuff. Once there is at least 2 convict, they will then be brought out of the Court Room.

This scene kind of freaked me out, and it set me thinking that to get into trouble with the law is really a horrifying experience. Especially on the day one has to attend court. Cos you never know if you will walk out of the Court Room a free man or a handcuffed man.

Well, a first time for me I guess. To be in a Court Room going through 1 whole court session. Something I believe will be deeply entrenched in my memory.