There is an interesting article about me in this week's The Voice of Blythewood & Fairfield County that I recommend to your reading. Just click on the title of the article "Restraining Order Ruled for Philpott".
As you read the article, ask yourself a few questions:
Can a defendant in Magistrate's Court get a fair trial if he can't hear what is being said?
If the Magistrate knows that the defendant cannot hear, should he pause the hearing until a court clerk or deputy can fetch a hearing-assistance device (which is available in the court building)?
If a person who is testifying swears to tell the truth, should only the truth be spoken?
I considered filing a Motion for Mistrial, but it had to be filed within five days, and I didn't get the recording of the hearing (and learn what was said against me until the fourth day). Such a Motion probably would have cost me $5,000 in legal fees to file.
An appeal of the finding by Magistrate Byrd was estimated by an attorney to cost me $10,-15,000, and it had to be filed in the Circuit Court within ten days.
Those estimates reinforced my belief about "justice" in the U.S.A. You can get just about all the justice that you can afford. I knew I hadn't done the things of which I was accused, and I knew I wouldn't do any of the things prohibited by the Restraining Order.
Please comment on the article here and at the end of the article on www.blythewoodonline.com.
