The Successful Dropout
10-25-2005, 10:47 AM
I'm going to try to make this story as short as possible, though it'll probably end up being really long...either way, it could definitely be longer with all of the details.
So I was working real early Sunday morning (gf was with me) when I went to a convenience store and before I had a chance to park, my gf said, "keep going, they're getting robbed" (she probably threw an "oh shit" or "what the fuck" in there too, but i forget). I then glanced real quick while driving away and saw some guy (with another guy holding the door open) pointing a gun at the cashier's face. I grabbed my cellphone as soon as I saw that and called the Sheriff's Office. They asked if I could go back and safely get a description of their car. I told the dispatcher that I already had the description because I noticed before I even went to that store that a car was suspiciously parked at a closed store across the street with the car running and 2 other people inside. I didn't have a license plate # though, so the dispatcher asked if I could safely get that. I then made a u-turn and attempted to follow the car without being too obvious. I was stuck at a redlight and when I drove over the hill that they drove over, they were nowhere to be found. I told the dispatcher which way they went and they were immediately pulled over shortly down that road by the cops. It turns out that the store they were robbing was the second store that night/morning. Their were other witnesses there, such as the store clerks and other customers, but my gf and I were the only witnesses that had a description of the car and which way they went (which all led to the arrests). They found the gun, bandanas and all, so all of the evidence is there. The cashier's and other witnesses positively ID'ed them. We gave them written statements along with the other witnesses. When I found out that I'd have to go to court, I asked if their would be a reward...of course their isn't. I didn't do what I did and help the police out in case of a reward, but the whole going to court thing is a big hassle. Especially when I work nights/early mornings every day. It's no secret that I have to visit this store for part of my job requirement around the same time every morning and not that I'm afraid, but I don't need word getting out to all of these thugs that my gf & I are responsible for "narcing" on these guys and putting them in jail. Come to find out, it was an apparant gang initiation where they were told that if they could rob a store (or stores) and get away with it without hurting anyone, then they were in. Well, I guess they're not in :lol: . So why am I telling you this? 'Cause I was wondering if I had to go to court or not. The rumor is that if you don't go to court, they'll send a bench warrant out for you and you'll go to jail. I don't pretend to know shit that I don't know, so that's why I'm asking. What would happen if I didn't go to court? The police said that it's highly possible that my gf & I won't even have to testify because of all of the evidence should result in them pleading guilty, but who knows. I really can't see being put in jail for not wanting to go to court for something that could potentially put myself and my gf in danger. Not only that, but I don't want to take off of work and I probably can't take off of work to be able to go to court. I mean, work would have to let me off if the court told them, but that's not the case. I'll be off before the court opens, but I'll be just getting to sleep.
Anyways, I'll be calling my lawyer some time this week just to see what the actual law on this states.
Please note that I really don't need to hear the guaranteed few posters who will jump on me about it being my duty to go to court and blah blah blah. I'm a smart motherfucker and know what you're going to say, so stfu in advance...thanks ;) . Also, if I had to do it all over again, I'd do the same thing (if not more).
Oh yeah, noone was hurt.
So I was working real early Sunday morning (gf was with me) when I went to a convenience store and before I had a chance to park, my gf said, "keep going, they're getting robbed" (she probably threw an "oh shit" or "what the fuck" in there too, but i forget). I then glanced real quick while driving away and saw some guy (with another guy holding the door open) pointing a gun at the cashier's face. I grabbed my cellphone as soon as I saw that and called the Sheriff's Office. They asked if I could go back and safely get a description of their car. I told the dispatcher that I already had the description because I noticed before I even went to that store that a car was suspiciously parked at a closed store across the street with the car running and 2 other people inside. I didn't have a license plate # though, so the dispatcher asked if I could safely get that. I then made a u-turn and attempted to follow the car without being too obvious. I was stuck at a redlight and when I drove over the hill that they drove over, they were nowhere to be found. I told the dispatcher which way they went and they were immediately pulled over shortly down that road by the cops. It turns out that the store they were robbing was the second store that night/morning. Their were other witnesses there, such as the store clerks and other customers, but my gf and I were the only witnesses that had a description of the car and which way they went (which all led to the arrests). They found the gun, bandanas and all, so all of the evidence is there. The cashier's and other witnesses positively ID'ed them. We gave them written statements along with the other witnesses. When I found out that I'd have to go to court, I asked if their would be a reward...of course their isn't. I didn't do what I did and help the police out in case of a reward, but the whole going to court thing is a big hassle. Especially when I work nights/early mornings every day. It's no secret that I have to visit this store for part of my job requirement around the same time every morning and not that I'm afraid, but I don't need word getting out to all of these thugs that my gf & I are responsible for "narcing" on these guys and putting them in jail. Come to find out, it was an apparant gang initiation where they were told that if they could rob a store (or stores) and get away with it without hurting anyone, then they were in. Well, I guess they're not in :lol: . So why am I telling you this? 'Cause I was wondering if I had to go to court or not. The rumor is that if you don't go to court, they'll send a bench warrant out for you and you'll go to jail. I don't pretend to know shit that I don't know, so that's why I'm asking. What would happen if I didn't go to court? The police said that it's highly possible that my gf & I won't even have to testify because of all of the evidence should result in them pleading guilty, but who knows. I really can't see being put in jail for not wanting to go to court for something that could potentially put myself and my gf in danger. Not only that, but I don't want to take off of work and I probably can't take off of work to be able to go to court. I mean, work would have to let me off if the court told them, but that's not the case. I'll be off before the court opens, but I'll be just getting to sleep.
Anyways, I'll be calling my lawyer some time this week just to see what the actual law on this states.
Please note that I really don't need to hear the guaranteed few posters who will jump on me about it being my duty to go to court and blah blah blah. I'm a smart motherfucker and know what you're going to say, so stfu in advance...thanks ;) . Also, if I had to do it all over again, I'd do the same thing (if not more).
Oh yeah, noone was hurt.