Order in the court
The other day I had my first experience with the Family Court system. While I’m not at liberty to discuss the details of the case in this forum, I wanted to share a little of my day.
8:50 – I arrive at the courthouse for my nine o’clock appointment. As I enter the screening area and prepare to go through the metal detector, I give them the name of the young person whose case I am there for. They have no record of any such case. Oh.
8:55 – I go outside and unsuccessfully try to contact the family.
9:00 – I reenter the building and am told I can go check with Records.
9:02 – “Well, I don’t have any record of it here, but that doesn’t mean it won’t be happening today.”
Oh. So the term “records” is only meant to be understood rather loosely here.
“You can go downstairs and someone in B4 should be able to help you.”
9:05 – I find the door to B4 closed and locked, and after knocking, unanswered. I sit down in a chair outside the door.
9:07 – I ask a man passing by if someone is coming.
“Oh yes, they should be here very soon. They usually get in sometime between 9 and 10.”
That’s right - they usually get in sometime between 9 and 10. So, like any minute now. Thanks for narrowing that down.
9:20 – I decide I’m not waiting for any longer undetermined amount of time for someone who may or may not have any idea what’s going on. Especially since it’s 20 minutes past when I was supposed to be wherever I am supposed to be. I head upstairs to look around in the front area for any sign of the people I’m supposed to meet. Nothing. I consider leaving, having seemingly exhausted my options. The woman behind the records counter sees me.
“They’re waiting for you on the upper level.”
Oh. Thanks for letting me know. Exactly how long were you going to let me sit downstairs?
“The case should be called momentarily.”
Momentarily? I hurry up the stairs.
12:30 – Well, I guess it depends on your definition of momentarily.
posted by jdjones @ 12:35 PM
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