O'Neill woman 'forgets' to appear in court

Tiah B. Sweet of O’Neill faced the Honorable Kale Burdick last Tuesday, Nov. 3, on offenses committed Sept. 20.

The 39-year-old woman was scheduled for arraignment on three counts Oct. 20, but failed to appear and a warrant was subsequently issued for her arrest.

She called the court Monday, saying she forgot the court date, but would appear the following day.

She appeared Tuesday, without counsel, for arraignment on Count I, no valid registration, a Class 3 misdemeanor; Count II, no proof of financial responsibility, a Class 2 misdemeanor; and Count III, failure to use seat belt, an infraction.

Sweet pleaded guilty to counts I and II, pursuant to a plea deal with county prosecutor Brent Kelly. In return, Kelly dismissed Count III.

She was fined $25 on Count I and $50 on Count II and taxed $50 costs of prosecution.

The warrant was recalled after she appeared Tuesday.

Joseph W. Reiser, 19, of Burke, South Dakota, faced Burdick for arraignment on two counts, a Class 3 misdemeanor, minor in possession of alcohol (ages 19/20), and a Class 1 misdemeanor, obstruct a peace officer. Reiser entered guilty pleas to both counts committed July 12.

Burdick fined Reiser $300 on Count 1 and $100 on Count II and assessed $50 costs of prosecution. Reiser was a self-represented litigant.

Chet O. Grenier, 35, of O’Neill appeared before Burdick, without counsel, for arraignment on a Class 2 misdemeanor, driving during revocation/impound, first offense.

He pleaded guilty to a reduced charge, driving under suspension/before reinstated, a Class 3 misdemeanor, committed Sept. 25. Burdick fined him $100 and taxed him $50 costs of prosecution.

David A. Carr, 25, of O’Neill withdrew his previous not guilty plea and entered a plea of guilty to an infraction count, possession of drug paraphernalia, pursuant to a plea agreement with Kelly. In return Kelly agreed to recommend a fine at sentencing.

Burdick fined him $100 and $49 costs.

Carr was also self represented.

Troy A. Reiser, 41, of O’Neill pleaded guilty, by waiver, to three O’Neill city code violations, two counts of dog running at large and one count of no rabies’ certificate. He was fined $20, $20 and $25, respectively, and taxed $49 costs. He was cited for the infraction counts Aug. 27.