Three Blind Mice
Arrest, trial, and verdict
The mice chased the farmer's wife
By federal law, this is considered a felony, not a misdemeanor. The police arrested the mice on sight as a result. The mice were not financially capable of affording a private lawyer, so they were given a public defender. At the Arraignment, bail was set at $100,000, which was not made.
Bail and Plea-Bargains
The judge decided that the bail for these mice was too high, so he decided to lower it to $80,000. The mice discussed with the prosecution about the best possible plea-bargain. The plea-bargain would be 8 years and a $50,000 fine. The mice declined.
Trial
Prior to the trial, the Grand Jury indicted the defendants (mice) on the felony that they were chasing the farmer's wife. The Petit Jury would be the 12 people deciding whether or not the defendants were guilty. The prosecution called the farmer's wife as a witness to the stand, where she emphatically stated how the mice continuously followed her without her consent. The defense issued a subpoena for the farmer's receipt he got from the market to determine where he was on that fateful day. The jury finally reached a verdict. They determined that the three blind mice were guilty of all charges and sentenced to 15 years in prison. They were convicted of following the farmer's wife.
Aftermath and Appeal
Upon further review, it was determined that the farmer committed perjury by falsifying the receipts. Instead, he was at home with his wife. Subsequently, the three mice appealed their case and were able to be granted their freedom as a result.