For the last week or so I’ve been finding myself sitting in the Norwich City Court. The idea is for me to routinely collect convictions for publication in The Evening Sun. For about fours hours a week, I attend the proceedings and at first I worried if those hours might be spent in boredom. However, after just my first day there it was anything but and wanted to share some of those experiences.

A man charged with possession of crack cocaine stands before the court. During his brief appearance, the prosecution informs the court the man has four prior felony convictions and six prior misdemeanors convictions that “run the gamut” of lower level crimes – including previous assault, DWI and endangering the welfare of a child convictions. He’s served time in county jail and state prison. His rap sheet is purportedly 22 pages in length.

His co-conspirator girlfriend, the ADA says, has nine previous misdemeanor convictions including DWI, possession and bouncing a bad check.

The two were arrested for minor roles involving out of town drugs dealers. Though the other suspects were the main police target, the co-defendant couple had their home searched with a warrant during the investigation leading to the current charges. Two children, 8 and 11, were also in the home and allegedly had access to the crack cocaine.