One Ticket in a Lifetime

By Thomas Wills

Hotchkiss Municipal Court

September 10, 2015

Judge Lynn French presiding (since 1979):

A 14 year old juvenile female appeared on charges of disorderly conduct –fighting. The girl admitted that she was the aggressor and had, for some reason not explained in court, walked up to a girl in a group of five and “smacked her.” After some discussion Judge French agreed to continue the case until the October or November court, giving the girl and parents a chance to confer with case officer Gates Shaklee about a recommendation that the girl be allowed to receive a deferral contingent upon entering the Juvenile Diversion program.

Cody Mason Carver, 21, pled guilty to disorderly conduct-fighting and was assessed 10 days in jail with 9 days suspended, a $100 fine and $50 in fees and court costs.  Carver and his cousin got into an altercation while at Tucker’s and “went outside to settle it,” according to Deputy Chad Lloyd. Both men were allegedly intoxicated but neither was injured to the point of needing medical attention.

Judge French is fairly consistent upon assessing jail time for both fighting and for shoplifting.

Kathy Eileen Owens pled guilty to careless driving resulting in a minor accident. She was given a one year deferred sentence as far as the 4 point violation went but was required to pay a total of $217 in fine and fees.

Mary Lee Lemoine of Hotchkiss pled guilty to unsafe backing resulting in an accident and also had her points deferred for six months.  She was assessed $77 in a fine and fees.  Mrs. Lemoine said that the ticket was the first one she had received in her driving life.  If she successfully completes the deferral period without incident her perfect driving record will remain intact.

Benjamin David Roop appeared on a charge of allegations of disorderly conduct/offensive noises. He pled not guilty and will appear for trial to the court on November 12 at 2 p.m.

Although normally there is no municipal court in October Judge French announced that he would be available for an October 22 court since he is also convening Cedaredge court that month.