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Criminal
I can’t believe I hadn’t mentioned this yet, but I got a summons and a citation in the mail a week ago. The charge? Retention of library property. Mind you, I returned the book several weeks ago. Of course I don’t know when exactly, but it was right around the time that the library filed the charge, as the restitution was amended on the citation to reflect the fact that they got the book back. Still, the total costs is $192. That’s not the part I’m worried about (even though no, I can’t afford that). What I’m worried about is my otherwise spotless record being tarnished by such foolishness, and having to explain it in detail on every job application for the rest of my life. So, my game plan?
1. Send in a $50 check tomorrow before they put out a warrant for my arrest.
2. Wait for a letter to arrive with my court date.
3. Freak out until my court date, as I’ve never had to (well, never chosen to) defend myself before.
4. Go to court and say a bunch of things including but not limited to: gosh this really sucks, yeah I screwed up, on the date listed on the citation I had committed no crime, I’m a good guy working for a living and volunteering in my community, I’ll pay the restitution requested plus make a $100(?) donation for the library’s trouble and for the fact that they need the money more than the commonwealth does.
5. Hope for the best.
In any case, I finally got my first pay check a few days ago and promptly blew it all on bills, so my checking account is a bit short of $50. Guess I’ll have to dip in to the emergency fund.
Oh, by the way – this job blows. Of course, what did I expect, being a janitor. It’s nice that after you get all your stuff done you can slack off, and that I have a very cool supervisor and mostly cool coworkers and a generally very laid back environment, but, you know. The work itself sucks with the pay to match. It generally makes me want to wait less and less to get in to truck driving. Which, for the time, money, and lost wages I’ll be investing in that, I better make it through and get hired, and I damn well better enjoy it! 
P.S. I am noticing that there are some design problems on here. I’ll see what I can do.
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{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Jake, what exactly is the charge for? since you said you’ve returned the book…is it for the over due charge? i’ve always found the library to be very forgiving. the library in my town even has an amnesty week where you can get all your fines forgiven if you donate some food or something. have you tried going up to the library and asking to talk to someone? i cant believe they would file charges on you. but i think if you just talk to them you can certainly work something out. it would probably help to take the $50.00 with you when you go up there. dont take this lying down! good luck!
ps i like the new design much MUCH better. less dark, more hopeful.
Thanks the1chery.
In Title 24, Chapter 16 (otherwise known as The Library Code), Section 426 read as follows:
I don’t think it’s in the library’s hands anymore. The fine they themselves impose is one of the items listed in the restitution requested, and is a whopping $10 – if restitution was what they were after, they’d sue me in small claims court as a civil suit – this is a criminal case.