"There is nothing that requires the Court to release the defendant over and over again."

 

Yesterday was a busy afternoon with several high profile cases. I was in the courtroom posting live and adding detailed information on late arraignments.

Rufus Cooke's cases were on calendar. Deputy DA Frankie Olivares appeared on the case for the People. Some of Cooke's cases were on November 9; the OR bail hearing was continued to November 12 so all his cases were on calendar.

After sitting through and watching repeat offenders and other defendants charged with violent crimes being released on OR or granted supervised release; I was not expecting yesterday's outcome.

It was worth watching Cooke's face and Deputy Public Defender Wade Orbelian who goes on and on in court with complete disregard to other cases and attorneys citing the same California case laws and trying to get every criminal and repeat offender released. It is onerous when you have such a long calendar that arraignments take up most of the afternoon and OR bail does not start until 3 p.m.

Orbelian said he had not received a report about Cooke's recent arrest. Maybe, if your client wouldn't keep getting arrested every few days after being granted supervised release repeatedly; the system would not be so overwhelmed. Cooke has 7 cases; get over the fact that you don't have a report for his one arrest for driving under the influence of drugs. 

Thanks to the Humboldt Public Defenders who get repeat criminals released daily and asking for mental health diversion for almost every defendant; the system is clogged and it is impossible to catch up. I  experience it so imagine what law enforcement and the DA's office goes through.

Orbelian asked for supervised release.

"I respectfully disagree," said Judge Durand. "I am familiar with this defendant. " Citing case law that Orbelian stated in asking for release, Judge Durand said. "There is nothing that requires the Court to release the defendant over and over again. He has had every chance." Citing risk to public safety, Cooke's custody status was changed to no bail.

Judge Durand stated on record what I have covered in previous posts which is Cooke repeatedly getting arrested every time he is granted supervised release.

Rufus Cooke has 7 open cases.

Later, that afternoon, HCSO Deputy Max Soeth had to go over and tell Orbelian that an out of custody Public Defender client was before the judge speaking when he shouldn't and clearly needing help. Orbelian was busy on his phone did not apologize to the client or Judge Durand. 

Mr or Ms is reserved for attorneys who deserve respect and conduct themselves with decorum and are professional. Prior to this post, Orbelian got referred as "Mr."