Trial and Error
It is Monday, the day of Max's court arraignment to see if the courts will try her or she will be released from all charges.
The media and protesters are in front of the Arcadia Bay Courthouse. The protesters have signs saying "DON'T' LET CORRUPTION WIN" or "LEAVE LOVE ALONE".
Inside the courtroom, Max and Alicia are sitting at the defendant's table and Lydia Savage is sitting at the prosecution's table. Everyone rise when the appointed judge, Samantha McCarthy take his seat.
"Case Number 1120, the State of Oregon vs. Maxine Caulfield. She is arrested and charged on statutory rape of a minor," the bailiff announced to the judge.
"How does the defendant plea?" asked Judge McCarthy.
"Not guilty your honor," said Max.
"From what I read and heard, the victim Warren Graham is sixteen years old according to his birth records and Maxine Caulfield just turned eighteen last month. From what I understand that is not considered statutory rape according to many state laws including this one," Judge McCarthy applied to Lydia Savage.
"We are motioning and arguing that Mr. Warren Graham to be considered fifteen years old, making it statutory rape," Lydia stated.
"That is ridiculous. My son, the victim is legally and officially sixteen years old stated by his birth records and every other records that state his birthdate. There should be no consideration to change the allege offender's or victim's age for any reason, especially because the prosecution or the police have nothing else to go on other than they feel like it or they were bribed to see that way," Alicia argued back.
"I agree with Miss. Graham, I do need something much better than "consideration" or otherwise any prosecution or police in the future could arrest anyone for being in a relationship and "consider" to change the victim's age because they can… that would be dishonesty and I cannot allow that," said Judge McCarthy.
"I also move to dismiss the case and dismiss Miss. Caulfield from all charges since from the evidence I have… the police arrested and charged my client before talking to my son or having a DNA test, a test that proved negative, thus they made an arrest by their own profit according to Internal Affairs and not based on evidence as they didn't even try to find evidence on my client before they made an arrest," Alicia argued.
"An addition to that, the FBI, state investigators, and Internal Affairs discovered bribery and corruption scandals on the Arcadia Bay police and Blackwell Academy that led to my client's arrest so how can we trust dishonesty?" Alicia questioned.
"Even the arrest of the defendant was based on corrupt and dishonesty doesn't mean the defendant is innocent," Lydia argued back.
"You maybe right Miss. Savage, but you know I cannot to allow evidence on violations and I must allow Miss. Graham to present the police and Blackwell Academy's dishonesty," Judge McCarthy stated.
"I am ready to risk that and try to argue the jury on that the victim, Mr. Graham should be considered fifteen years old and not sixteen years old," said Lydia Savage.
"That would be a waste of the courts and so many people's time. Like you said, people should not consider changing the accused offender's or the victim's age or likely future cases could try that and we would have no balance of law or justice. Nobody should change the facts at the court of law all because they feel like it and have nothing else to go on," said Alicia. "I motion the case to be dismissed because from what I understand… the prosecution have nothing but their "technically fifteen year old" argument when the victim is officially and legally sixteen years old and close of being seventeen by next month. We cannot change the victim's age on technically because the prosecution or police said so".
"Miss. Savage?" Judge McCarthy demands a counter-argument from her and it warns her she will dismiss the case now if she doesn't have something, but the judge could tell Lydia Savage is beat.
"Then I have no choice to dismiss Miss. Caulfield from all charges," stated Judge McCarthy, then he bangs his gavel on the table.
Max embraces Alicia with joy and thanks. Several Blackwell Academy students express their joyfulness hearing Max's case will be dismissed. Principal Wells and several Arcadia Bay officers are present in the courtroom showing great disappointment in their faces.
Alicia and Max went outside to meet the press and told them about the case being dismissed.
"I'm glad that the judge saw there is no wrongdoing according to law, but Blackwell and Arcadia Bay Police Department's wrongdoing," Alicia stated. "Later this week we are going to appeal the expulsion and the suspension of my son at court and if the expulsion is not overturned, then Blackwell Academy, Principal Raymond Wells, Sean Prescott, and the Arcadia Bay Police Department should expect a lawsuit from us due because how they expelled and arrested my client".
Max is taken to the Two Whale Diner to celebrate and Warren, Juliet, Kate, Victoria, Daniel. Dana, Trevor, Justin, Courtney, Taylor, Logan, and Zach are there to celebrate with her.
Max and Warren run up to each other and did not hesitate to give each other a kiss, not caring anymore if everyone else is watching.
"Thank you Warren," said Max then she turned to the rest of the students. "Thank you all for what you did for me," said Max.
"Hey, I can tell you would have done the same for the rest of us if we were in your situation," said Kate.
"Are you going back to Blackwell Academy after this?" asked Dana.
"No… my parents don't want me going back there, even my expulsion is lifted. As long as Principal Wells is still there, I'm not going back," Max stated.
"Good… all of us here decide have walked out until Principal Wells steps down, your expulsion is wiped from your record, and something is done for all the corruption going on at school. Even Ms. Grant and several teachers walked off the job," said Juliet.
"I cannot believe all of you did this for me," said Max.
"Well, it not just for you. We all feel there are way too much corrupt politics going on and there is no telling what they would do to us so none of us feel safe there anymore," Victoria admitted.
"Even some parents pulled their students out of the school, even my dad pulled me out," Taylor noted. "My dad said he doesn't trust the school anymore. So tomorrow I will be heading back home in Indiana and then the next day I will be attending a normal high school near home."
"I'm so sorry to hear that," said Max.
"Now that school turned out to be nothing but a treasure of scandals and severe misdeeds… such as Mr. Jefferson, Rachel Amber, then there is Nathan Prescott and your friend Chloe, and now Principal Wells… I say it is a reward to be out of there," Taylor applied.
David comes running in with a smile on his face. "I got some news for all of you… the FBI just charged and arrested Principal Wells and Sean Prescott for bribery, obstruction, corruption, and several other crimes".
The news brings a sigh of joy and excitement from the partiers.
"This could work to our advantage if and when we pursue a lawsuit against them," Alicia stated.
"Well good luck to you and your case." cheered Kate. "All of us will be cheering for you".
Max is staying at Warren's house for the time being since both Max and Warren are no longer residing on campus due to Max is still expelled and Warren has been pulled out of Blackwell Academy.
Max is planning to transfer to another high school back in Seattle and Warren is also considering transferring to the same school with her in Seattle. They are looking for a cheap apartment to live together near the Caulfield's residence.
Before they went to Warren's house, they pick up Warren's little 10-year-old sister, Lucy from school.
"You must be Big Brother's future wife, Max," Lucy teased.
It is ten o'clock at night. Warren is sitting the far right end of the living room couch while Max is lying in the same couch and comfortably resting her head on Warren's lap. It is ten o'clock and they are watching the Portland News with the evening anchors Andrew Wong and Beth Hayes.
"Our top story continues on the Blackwell Academy scandals. Today Max Caulfield's criminal case was dismissed at arraignment this morning," Beth Hayes reports.
"Speaking of criminal cases, Blackwell Academy principal, Raymond Wells was arrested on bribery, corruption, obstruction, evidence tampering, and several other charges," said Andrew Wong. "Our reporter Richard Neal is on the story".
The news transitions in front of the Arcadia Bay Police Station.
"Thank you Andrew. The FBI arrested Principal Raymond Wells of Blackwell Academy earlier today and the state police are also charging him for the same crime. Not only Principal Wells was arrested, Prescott Estate CEO Sean Prescott was also arrested for his involvements of the Blackwell Academy scandals including witnesses and evidence tampering. Earlier this month, his son Nathan Prescott shot and killed a young girl, Chloe Price and disgraced teacher and photographer Mark Jefferson is in jail for murder, sexual assault, and several accounts of kidnappings. We will have more on the story, back to you Andrew," Richard Neal informed to the news.
"Look like things are taking a turn for the best. My criminal case has been dismissed, Principal Wells and Sean Prescott are arrested, and your mom said it is likely to have my expulsion overturned, and if I file a lawsuit, I am likely to win according to your mom," said Max.
"I still cannot you getting arrested and this whole mess is my fault," Warren admitted.
"It is your fault," she joked. "Because that is what you get for being too handsome, good, and charming". They both chuckle.
Then they hear the front door to the garage open; coming through the door is Warren's dad, Charles.
"Hello you must be Warren's girlfriend, Max," said Charles in an energetic tone. Then he hugs his son, "Hello there son, it is so good to see you. I'm sorry that my son caused all this to you because he is just too irresistible to the ladies."
"That is what she said," Warren joked.
Charles went up stairs to turn in for the night. Warren and Max still stay downstairs when later Alicia finds Warren sleeping on the couch while Max is sleeping on top of them. She turns everything off in the living room and she puts a blanket on top of them.
Meanwhile, Brooke is still living and attending at Blackwell Academy dorms despite many of the students left, her hallway is empty, and the school is having a lot of problems.
"You won the last few rounds, but I will not give up until Warren is all mine," Brooke thought to herself.
She starts a harassment campaign against Max and everyone who sided against her except for Warren. She did this by creating a website that slanders or exposes her enemies. She slanders Max by stating it was reported by the prison she had sex with a prison guard and she and Alicia made a deal with someone who is richer and more powerful than the Prescotts by planting false evidence on Max's behalf.
The next day the morning news report on what is written on Brooke's website. Max, Warren, their families, and everyone else are watching the news in horror as what Brooke wrote is being said on the news. The news says they don't know who is behind the website since the administrator remains anonymous, even though Brooke is behind the website.
"Max, did you had sex with a prison guard?" asked Alicia.
"No… I would never do that," Max answered.
"Stop it mom, I believe her and I know Max would never do that," Warren defended her. "Plus you know they are lies since they said you a deal with Sean Prescott".
The there is a knock on the door and it is the Arcadia Bay Police at the door. "I hopefully aware about there is a report you and Miss. Graham made a deal with Sean Prescott to plant false evidence to get you out?" ask the police officer.
"Yes, but that is not true," said Max.
"Well we will believe that once it is investigated. For now, I am placing you and Miss. Graham under arrest," the police officer stated, shocking everyone in the house.
A/N: Thank you for all of your views and support. Find out next time on how they will get out of this mess and how will they triumph in the end and what sacrifices and consequences will be made to accomplish a victory over corruption.