First Place Flash Fiction Controversy Creates Cash Stevie Hart Boonville High School Kyle Patrick Dougherty was up against an A-felony charge. His offense was so deplorable that no defense attorney in Arizona wanted to take his case for any amount of money. Last December, Mr. Dougherty was detained from his home, in front of his family, on Christmas morning. There were questions of whether or not Mr. Dougherty was even guilty of the alleged crime. However, this was of no concern to the prosecuting attorney, his job wasn’t right or wrong; his job was getting convictions. On the day of his court-date, Mr. Dougherty arrived early, in his finest dress clothes. He was nervous, beyond compare. In his mind, he knew he was guilty, but was this really something to arrest someone over? This is an A-felony? He took a seat, next to his court-appointed lawyer, awaiting trial. After the “discovery” was presented, and the irrelevant two instances of being late for work in 2006 were brought up, the judge had reached his verdict. “Mr. Dougherty,” the judge spoke. “You are found guilty and sentenced to thirty-five years in a federal prison.” He continued, “Let Mr. Dougherty be an example for any felons that decide to drink out of a carton. That is disgusting, there are other people that drink that orange juice.”
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