Look East | A Hozier Fanfiction |

15

***For the purposes of this story, I am writing as though the COVID-19 Pandemic did not happen. This is not meant as disrespect to those who have suffered from it.***

FIVE YEARS LATER, September 2021

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA

"Officer Korwynn, you and I both know you did not have a valid search warrant for this residence," Molly said, standing at the lectern. "So why did you force your way into the residence?"

The U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement officer sitting in the witness box shifted in his seat. A sheen of sweat had broken out on his forehead and Molly could practically smell the fop sweat from ten feet away. His uniform was wrinkled and she could see a small blob of mustard on his tie, probably from a hotdog off the cart outside the courthouse.

"We knew Mrs. Castillo was hiding inside, ma'am," Officer Korwynn replied. "We didn't want her to flee."

Molly shifted on her feet. "So what you're saying, Officer Korwynn, is that you openly disregarded the law of the land, forcibly entered a private residence without court-ordered permission, and proceeded to arrest a young mother as she nursed her infant in her bed?"

Officer Korwynn looked to the Prosecutor, who shrugged and put his hand over his mouth.

"Answer the question, please, Officer," Judge Brooks said, leaning back in his chair, hands clasps flat against his chest.

"Y-yes. But only because-," he started.

"Your Honor, I move to dismiss Mrs. Castillo's case on grounds of an unlawful arrest," Molly said, gathering her paperwork in front of her. "Mrs. Castillo was released from the detention facility on her own recognizance with the understanding that she would remain in her residence at all times except to check in with a parole officer. My client has not missed a meeting with her parole officer since her release several months ago and therefore does not pose any sort of flight risk. Furthermore, since her release she has had a baby and deportation would leave her child motherless as it is an American citizen. Officer Korwynn has regularly harrassed my client's family and has placed undue stress on her. Not to mention that the warrant was not valid for entry to my client's residence."

Judge Brooks looked over the paperwork in front of him. "You make a strong argument, Ms. Stanley," he said, lifting his gavel. "Case dismissed."

The sound of the gavel banging echoed through the court room and a wave of relief washed over Molly as the court stood and Judge Brooks started to walk back to his chambers.

"Thank you, your honor," she said, closing her file and walking back to the Defense table. She gave Mrs. Castillo a smile.

"¡Ganamos! Puede irse a casa, Josephine," she told her. "You can go home."

The young woman burst into a giant smile and reached for Molly's hand. "Gracias, muchas muchas gracias!"

Molly packed her files into her bag and led Mrs. Castillo out of the court room, past the Prosecution. "Better luck next time," she said in a light tone to the other lawyer.

"I'm assuming you won, from the grin on your face," Oscar Llewelyn said, coming up to them in the hallway.

"Case dismissed," Molly explained, high fiving him. "How'd you do?"