Four years of Mock Trail has prepared me for this moment. I'll try to explain some of what is going on if the terms get a bit complicated. These next few chapters will be a bit longer.

Aria's POV
"She arrived safely, correct?" I asked a uniform outside the courtroom.

The trial was to begin in a few minutes. Nick and Chris had already taken their seats in the audience behind the well of the courtroom along with my mother. My heart had begun to beat quicker as the adrenaline rushed though me. I couldn't help the giddy feeling I felt by being in a courthouse again.

"Yes. She was already placed in the witness sections for the Prosecution side. The trial has all been set out. Steve Garret is in the witness side for the Defense. You may enter now." The cop replied, walking me toward the courtroom doors. I nodded a thanks, held the handle of my briefcase tighter, and pushed open the doors of the courtroom.

Instantly, all eyes were on me as I made my way towards the prosecution side of the tables. The judge had yet to enter the room, giving both teams 5 minutes or so to prepare themselves. I made no eye contact with the audience to keep it as professional as possible. Lacey sat to the left of me, and my colleague lawyer sat to the right. His name was Max Hondell.

Hondell and I actually practiced law together back when I had recently received my license. I called him last week and explained the predicament, he accepted my request to help represent Lacey in court.

"All the files are in order, correct?" I whispered to Hondell, as I opened up my briefcase and laid all the documents out. I was completely memorized by now, and ready to kill this thing.

"Yes. Dolton Grey, Steve's lawyer, has already arrived. You know his reputation. This trial might get bloody. Are you prepared for anything that may be thrown our way during court?" Hondell whispered back, pulling his witness statements toward him for a second analyzation.

"Yes. There are a few things I've looked into Lacey's life about that I haven't told her yet. If they do get admitted into court, I will do everything I can to discredit them, but you must make sure that Lacey is briefed about the possibility of surprise evidence. The prosecution will most likely throw this in after our 5 minute recess, and she must be prepared for it." I whispered, but stopped myself short as the doors opened once more and the judge walked in.

Instantly, both the prosecution and defense stood in respect. "You may be seated." She announced.

I resisted the smile that was aching to slip through.

The judge, and half the jury were female.

This was good. Very good.

"May the prosecution rise and state their claim?" The judge asked.

"Yes your honor." I replied. "My name is Aria Lane, I am a Prosecution Attorney, here in court to represent Ms. Lacey Jones. This is my co-attorney, Max Hondell."

"Good afternoon, your honor." Max nodded, sending one of his signature smirks that apparently had an effect on every lady. Half the woman in this bitch were already swooning.

"Good afternoon." The judge replied, sending him a smile back.

You see, court was basically a formula. Whether you are guilty or not, if you play your cards right, it doesn't matter. The jury is the field for manipulation, if you get more than half of them to like you, their opinions become bias. This is why lawyers care about their look and demeanor so much, we're all here to play the game. Some play it better than others, some close more cases than others. It's never really been about the innocence and guilt, because with our system, your innocent until proven guilty.

The prosecutions job is to prove beyond a reasonable doubt, that the suspect is guilty. This is why it's very hard for a prosecution to win a case, they must have some very damning evidence.

"I will be performing the closing, as well as directing Lacey Jones." I announced.

"I will be performing the opening, as well as cross examining Steve Garret." Max added. We both took our seats.

"Defense?" The judge asked.

"Yes your honor, My name is Dolton Grey." Dolton started, giving a slight pause as he glanced at the judge.

"Continue, Mr. Grey. House is on at 7, I don't have all day.

"R-Right, I will be both directing Steve Garret, and cross-examining Lacey Jones." He finished.

He most likely paused to wait for the recognition in the judges face because of his name.

News flash, Dolton Grey, this towns population is less than your IQ.

"Good. My name is Dria Marshal. Judge Marshal to you. I will call upon the prosecution for their opening, and then the defense." She spoke. We nodded in agreement.

The trial had begun

~

I call Lacey Jones to the stand." I spoke, slipping out her witness statement before walking to the well of the court. "Please state your name for the court." I asked.

"Lacey Jones. L-A-C-E-Y  J-O-N-E-S." Lacey answered.

"Thank you. I offer my sincerest apologies for what has happened to you, but unfortunately, I will have to ask you a few questions." I spoke. She nodded a thank you.

"October 26th, 2016, you arrived at my home at around 9 o'clock that night, with serious injuries. I would like to direct your attention to Exhibit #3, this was taken by the hospital a day after. Have you seen these pictures before, Lacey?" I asked, setting up the blown out version on a tripod stand so the rest of the court could see.

"Yes." Lacey nodded.

"And you can confirm that this is you in the pictures?" I asked.

"Yes." Lacey replied again.

"At this time, your honor, I'd like to enter Exhibit #3 into evidence, its authenticity has been stipulated." I requested.

"Objection your honor, pursuant to rule 801 this calls for hearsay." Dolton objected.

"Explain." The judge replied, her face scrunched up in confusion.

"This pictures weren't taken by a credited witness, they could have been edited, or altered." He explained.

"Prosecution?" She asked, turning to me.

"The Wildew Hospital has already written an authentication report prior to the trial, I believe both parties received that letter." I replied.

"Did you receive this letter, Mr. Grey?" Judge Marshal asked.

"Well yes, but-"

"Overruled. Continue with your questioning, Ms. Lane." The judge announced.

"Yes your honor. Now, these injuries look to be severe. Could you explain them to us, Ms. Jones, to the best of your ability?"

"Yes. I had a few cracked ribs, along with bruising throughout my side and back. A few teeth were knocked loose by the forces of the hits. A layer of my eye was damaged by the hits as well." Lacey replied.

"Thank you. Prior to this night, had Mr. Garret ever gotten physical with you before?" I asked.

"Yes. There was a night a few days before, where he grabbed my arm very tightly. Apparently, he cracked the bone in several places by his hold."

"Thank you, Ms. Jones. No further questions, your honor." I nodded, taking a seat.

"Cross examination?" Judge Marshal asked, glancing at the Defense.

"Yes your honor." Dolton replied, moving into the well of the court. "Ms, Jones, You've had prior experiences with recreational drugs, have you not?" Dolton asked. Instantly, Lacey's eyes widened, along with mine.

"Objection! pursuant to rule 601 d2, relevance. How is my clients history with substances relevant to today's case?" I asked, my body starting to shake slightly from how thrown off everything was. I hadn't planned for this to come in this early.

"This will move to credit, or discredit the witness, your honor." Dolton replied, smiling slightly from how quickly he could make an excuse.

"The prosecution calls for a recess." I replied instantly, silently pleading with the Judge as I glanced at Lacey. She looked completely shaken.

"Recess had been granted. The prosecution and the defense has 5 minutes." The judge announced, striking her gavel against the sound block.

This wasn't good. This wasn't good as all.

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Two chapters left of the story... I cry.