Summary: Joseph Francis Cartwright awaits sentencing. The judge is quick to blame the adults in his life for the boy’s actions. What can Joe say in defense?

Rating:  K+  1500

In Defense

 

Ben Cartwright paused outside the courthouse and took in another deep breath of air. His mind reflected painfully back on the past week as he once again silently chastised himself. “I should have kept a closer eye on him. We should have spent more time together.”

Ben lowered his head, giving it a slight shake. The words slowly spewed out from his lips “Where did I go wrong?” Then, with a heavy sigh, he walked towards the entrance.

Inside the courtroom, Ben took a seat. The same seat he had sat in for the past 4 days. His son, Hoss, was already situated beside him. He glanced up nervously at his father. There was a look of uncertainty in his eyes. Neither said a word, but they both knew what today would bring. In just a few brief moments, a court judge would be passing sentence on Joseph Francis Cartwright.

Ben’s eyes rose at the sound of a side door opening. Roy Coffee entered. Two solemn looking figures followed; the last one, being his son. A realm of emotion instantly cascaded through his body as he watched, not a man, but a twelve year old boy shakily make his way to his assigned seat. He was the youngest of the two by 3 years and the week in jail had obviously taken its toll. The boy looked gaunt. He had deep, dark circles under his eyes, and his shoulders sagged from the sheer humility and disgrace of the situation.

Once again, Ben sat silently chastising himself. Had he made the right decision by refusing to post bail? When the news first reached him about Joe’s transgressions, he was angry…angrier than he had ever been before. He marched into the jail like a hurricane, demanding to have his son released at once.

Roy Coffee, however, had other ideas.

“Ben, if you go in there filled with anger, just think of the consequences. The boy knows he’s done wrong. You’d certainly be making a bigger statement by giving him some “quiet time. That is if’n you know what I mean.”

After much persuasion, Ben relented and begrudgingly let his son remain behind bars under the care of his friend; judging by the boy’s demeanor, that “quiet time” had left a definite impression.

“All Rise!”

A middle-aged judge entered and took his assigned position. “Be seated,” he simply stated. He then fumbled through some papers and took a moment to gather his thoughts before addressing the court.

“This week we have all seen what can happen when the youth of today are left to their own discretion. Personally, I look upon these juveniles in pity, not hatred. Yes, they committed a crime for which they have been found guilty, but really are they the ones to accept full blame? I think not.

Children need love, reassurance, and guidance. It is a parent’s responsibility to set guidelines and monitor whereabouts. It is up to the adults to set strict rules and follow through with consequences. This is how children learn right from wrong. This is how they learn the rules of society and establish themselves as worthy citizens.”

The judge banged his gavel down once for emphasis, then turned his eyes towards the cowering youth before him.

“Jacob Anthony Roberts, please rise.” The boy nervously rose and stood quivering. “Have you anything to say in your defense before I pass sentence?”

The boy simply shook his head and answered with a soft, “No, sir.” The crowd remained silent. Jacob’s father was not present due to a work obligation while his mother was too overcome with emotion to speak on his behalf.

“I see here that this is your fourth time before a judge in the past year. Obviously we haven’t made that much of an impression on you. Therefore, I find it necessary to leave a more lasting footprint.

You shall be immediately transported to California where you will take residence at the San Francisco Home for Wayward Boys. There you will receive schooling and strict guidance as a last means of rehabilitation.”

The boy looked up at the judge with a shocked look upon his face. He instantly turned towards his mother. “Ma… Don’t let them send me a way… I promise to be good. I don’t want to go…Ma… please.”

His mother crumbled into the arms of her sister sitting next to her.

Roy Coffee grabbed hold of the boy and sat him back down in his chair. He instantly buried his head in the table and sobbed.

Ben Cartwright felt his gut wrench as the judge passed sentence. He scooted himself to the edge of the bench on which he sat. His eyes fell not on his son, but the judge, who, at that moment, held his family’s future in the palm of his hand.

“Joseph Francis Cartwright, please rise.” Joe solemnly complied. “Have you anything to say in your defense before I pass sentence?”

The boy simply nodded and replied, “Yes, sir. I have, but it isn’t in my defense… but in my father’s defense.” Joe took a moment to swallow and gather his thoughts.

Light mutterings emerged from the crowd and Ben Cartwright looked over at his son with a furrowed brow. “Whatever is that boy thinking?” he thought.

“Judge…sir. I cannot let you blame my father for why I am standing in front of you today. I am the sole reason I’m here. I am the one that listened to a friend rather than my own family. My father tried to warn me, but I chose not to listen.”

Joe paused to glance over at his father and brother. This brought a wave of emotion, and the tears began to uncontrollably fall.

“He’s a good father… the best. He’s given me love, reassurance, and guidance. He sets guidelines and strict rules. Please don’t send me away. I know I have to be punished, but please don’t send me away from my family. I’ve had a good upbringing. Pa always taught us right from wrong and I know he will administer the proper consequences for my actions… And believe me, it will be far worse than what any home in San Francisco would ever do for me.”

A few snickers arose from the crowd at Joe’s blatantly honest words.

A hush fell over the courtroom as the judge thoughtfully paused and reflected.

“Is this boy’s father present?”

“Yes, your honor.” Ben Cartwright arose. “I’m his father, Ben Cartwright.”

“I see. Your boy has no prior record?”

“No sir. Joseph is a good boy… mischievous at times, but still a good boy…And one a man can be proud of”

Joe winced at hearing words of praise come from his father’s mouth.

“Very well,” the judge acknowledged. “Joseph Francis Cartwright I hereby sentence you to 3 months of service to your community. You will sit down with your father and establish a work schedule amongst the business owners here in town. You will report your hours to Sheriff Coffee once a week who in turn will send me confirmation of 120 hours achieved. In six months, we will review your file, clearing you of your record if, and only if, your school grades have remained up, and there haven’t been any further instances with the law.”

“That’s not fair!” Jacob Roberts announced and lunged at Joe without warning. The two boy’s landed in a heap on the floor, but Roy Coffee was quick to grab Jacob by the arm and swiftly escort him out of the room.

Ben Cartwright rushed forward assisting his son to his feet. The boy instantly wrapped his arms around him, squeezing ever so tightly. It was a moment he had waited for all week. Tears fell as he softly uttered, “I’m so sorry, Pa. I’m so sorry.”

Ben Cartwright held tightly to his boy, he too had longed for this precise moment. There the two remained in silence.

The judge swung his gavel down one last time and arose. “This court is now adjourned.”
As he turned to leave, he glanced over at father and son and smiled.

Suddenly, his thoughts were interrupted by Hoss addressing him. “I just want to thank you, Your Honor… for giving my brother a chance to prove himself. He’s really a good kid.”

“No need to thank me, young man,” The judge simply replied.

“Well, you can be rest assured that my Pa will make sure Joe learns from this experience.”

The Judge chuckled. “You sound like you speak from experience yourself?”

Hoss’s face turned a slight shade of pink. “Well, let’s just say Pa has a way of getting his point across… with emphasis.”

The judge laughed as he shook Hoss’s hand. “Good day,” he said cheerfully as he strolled out of the courthouse.

At that precise moment, he knew full well that he would never have to worry about Joseph Francis Cartwright again.