Dakota County Jail

Pre-sentencing

Interview with Shawanda Miller


JM: Tell us about the pre-sentencing process:
Shawanda Miller: If you were arrested and brought to jail, generally there would be no bail until you would been seen by a judge generally within 2 days, then either they would let you go own own recognanze or post bail. If you were let go, then you'd receive a court date within the month or following month. Sometimes depending on the case, they may or may not order a pre-sentencing investigation. Then at court you'd have the omnibus hearing either by pleading guilty or not guilty. Then they'd give the person another court date either within the month or so.

JM: Did you have police stop by your house for questioning?
Shawanda Miller: No. Only time they'd stop by is when a warrant would be issued.

JM: What was your court appearance like?
Shawanda Miller: There would be 2 different court hearings. Basically the people in jail, court would be held over at the jail. Then other court hearings would be at main court house or one of the service centers. You'd walk in give name, talk to the public defender if you chose to, or you could talk to the prosecutor. Generally you would be there approximately 2 - 2 1/2 hours. Sometimes, court would be held over until the afternoon court which starts at 1:00 pm and sometimes you wouldn't get in front of the judge until 3:00 or 4:00 pm depending how busy the court was.