The courtroom is not overly big.  It is a more contemporary style with reddish hardwoods and straight lines.  No one occupies the jury box.  No one occupies the gallery except for Jaime’s mom and dad, who sit next to each other in the last row, and the police officer who took Jaime into custody, who stands not far from Jaime.

Image Credit: Michael Galkovsky

Jaime sits in his same clothes, next to a man in a fine, navy suit and red tie.  They’re at a flat table, across the aisle from another man in a gray suit and black tie.  A woman enters from the front of the courtroom.

WOMAN 9: All rise.

All five stand.  A judge enters wearing the traditional black cloak and sits at the bench.

JUDGE: Be seated.  Let’s keep this informal.  We’re here to determine probable cause of the involuntary emergency admission of Jaime O’Malley for his safety and the safety of others.

Jaime’s attorney stands.

ATTORNEY: Your honor, if it pleases the court, my client, Jaime O’Malley, appears in custody with his attorney, Sam Waters.

He sits.

JUDGE: Very well, would the State like to begin?

The prosecutor stands.

PROSECUTOR: Yes, your honor, the state will present evidence that Mr. O’Malley intends to harm himself.  The state’s witness, Francis O’Malley, is the petitioner in this case and has first hand knowledge of Mr. O’Malley’s recent behavior that would give the State probable cause to believe Jaime O’Malley intends on hurting himself.  Mr. O’Malley made the statement that he intends on killing himself on October the first and fashioned a website further that claim.

The prosecutor sits.  Jaime’s attorney stands.

ATTORNEY: Your honor, it is true that my client created such a site, it has since been deactivated. Mr. O’Malley has no mental disorder and has not refused treatment, both of which can be attested by licensed psychologist Robert Keller, of whom Mr. O’Malley is a current patient of.  And Mr. O’Malley has given no indication that he may cause substantial harm to himself or others that would merit detention.  As such, we are requesting an immediate dismissal as none of the statutory requirements have been met regarding his detention.

He sits.  The judge looks at Jaime for a bit.

JUDGE: I agree.  Case dismissed.  Mr. O’Malley, you are free to go.

***

Jaime sits quietly, looking out the window, in the back seat.  Dad drives, looking straight ahead, Mom is in the passenger seat.  She turns to look at Jaime.

MOM: Honey, we’re just, we’re sorry, but we were trying to do this for your own…

JAIME: I’m not mad at you guys.  You did the right thing.

DAD: We’re glad to hear you’re seeing someone.