I wanted you guys to know I actually spent a lot of time looking up the laws of Pennsylvania so almost everything in this chapter is correct. The jail I mentioned in the last chapter is a real jail and all the laws I mention are correct. Did you know there is no "statutory rap" is Pennsylvania. The closest thing is statutory sexual assault witch is what Ezra is being charged with. Thank you so much to my beta xxxTrojan-Princessxxx to all my reviewers and I hope you enjoy this chapter. I don't own Pretty Little Liars I just wish I did.

Aria sat in the first row of the court with her three best friends by her side hand in hand. She glanced around the court room and was surprised when she saw her parents sitting in the back row. She focused her attention forward again and took a deep breath as the Bailiff approached the front of the courtroom

"All rise. The superior court of Rosewood in the state of Pennsylvania is now in session the Honorable Judge Michaels presiding."

"Please be seated, This court will come to order. Bailiff can we have the first case? The bailiff walked up to the stand and gave the Judge a manila folder witch he promptly looked over before continuing. Case docket 573957, The state of Pennsylvania v. Ezra Fitz Statutory Sexual Assault in the Second Degree. How does the defendant plead?"

"Not guilty your Honor" Mrs. Hastings answered.

"Very well, the prosecution may call its first witness" the Judge continued glancing at the DA.

"We call Aria Montgomery to the stand" the Attorney said

Aria rose from where she had been sitting and walked quickly up to the witness stand. She wanted to get this over with as soon as possible and hopefully damage the prosecutions case as much as she could

"Please put your right hand on the bible" Aria did so and the bailiff continued "Do you swear to tell the truth the whole truth and nothing but the truth so help you god?"

"I do"

The Defense Attorney rose from his seat and walked over to the front of the courtroom ready to start his questioning

"Can you please state your name for the record" he said

"She leaned towards the microphone in front of her. "Aria Fitz."

She held out her left hand so everyone could see the beautiful diamond ring on her finger

There was a defining silence in the courtroom and every one without exception wore the same shocked expression.

Ezra was surprised because they had agreed they weren't going to tell anyone yet.

He looked at his layer and was astounded to find Mrs. Hastings smiling at this revelation. "Your honor" she began "According to the English Evidence Amendment Act of 1853, neither husbands nor wives can be forced to disclose any communication made to the other."

"That is true Mrs. Hastings ," the Judge said "Why was she subpoenaed to testify without being given the option not to?"

"We did not know your honor. Her parents were the ones that pressed charges and they listed her as Miss. Montgomery" the Attorney said slightly flustered.

The Judge turned to Aria and asked "Mrs. Fitz how long have you and the defendant been married?"

"A little over a month, way before all this started. We went to Vegas for a weekend and didn't tell anyone. I have the certificate right hear." She said.

The Bailiff took the piece of paper from her and handed it to the Judge. After looking at it for a few moments he seemed to be satisfied of its authenticity so he turned to Aria.

"Ok then, Mrs. Fitz, Would you like to invoke your right of Marital privilege, Meaning you will not be able to testify today?

"I would" she said with a smile.

"Very well then, Please step down"

"In that case I would like to move that the case against my client be dismissed, as the bulk of the prosecutions case rested on Mrs. Fitz's testimony.

"Your honor, the State still has photographic evidence of the crime in question." The DA said, desperate to salvage his case

"Have they been authenticated?" the Judge asked

Yes, your Honor. We have a photograph annalist scheduled to testify to that next.'

"Then your motion to dismiss is denied, Mrs. Hastings." The Judge told her.

The rest of the trial flew by in a blur for Aria. She was so worried about the outcome all she could hear was the pounding of her racing heart.

After the closing arguments it was a waiting game. The Jury needed to deliberate so Aria found her self sitting in hallway, hoping beyond anything that he would get off. She saw her parents by the drinking fountain a ways down but didn't make any motion that she had seen them even though they had been trying to catch her eye.

Finally after what seemed like days they were told that the Jury had come back. Aria looked at her watch and saw it had been almost 2 hours. Was that good? She had no idea. After walking into the courtroom she took her seat and grabbed Spencer's hand.

"Thank you madam Forman, has the jury reached a unanimous verdict?"

"We have your honor" The Forman said

"Please hand the verdict to the Bailiff."

The Bailiff took several papers from the Jury and handed them to the Judge, who glanced at them.

"Will the defendant please rise. In the case of Statutory Sexual Assault in the second degree how do the people find." He asked

"We the people find the defendant Ezra Fitz guilty"

"NOOOOO" Aria screams was all that could be heard as she fell on Hanna's lap and sobbed. A part of her had started to hope.

"I'm sorry, but if you cannot control yourself I will be forced to hold you in contempt of court."

Aria took a few deep breaths to contain herself before nodding her understanding but that didn't stop the tears from flowing down her face.

"Thank you Jury, for your services, you are dismissed. As for the defendant, I am sickened that this was even brought to court. The love between these two is obvious to me and I have only seen them for a few hours. However the laws of the state of Pennsylvania bind me so Mr. Fitz, You are hereby sentenced to the minimum the state will allow. Your teaching license will be revoked and must serve 1 year in a medium security prison. However early release may be considered with good behavior.

"Case Closed" the Judge declared and brought his gavel down sealing the two lovers' fate.

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