MARYSVILLE – The hands of justice move slowly – except when they don’t.

Wednesday morning Municipal Court Judge Fred Gillings adjudicated cases faster than a Patriots fan can make excuses for losing the Super Bowl.

And he was nice about it.

He greeted each defendant with a “Good morning” and told them “Have a good day” or “Thanks for coming in today” when they left. Each defendant also showed good manners. “Thank you your honor” was a common reply.

The first 17 cases took less than a half-hour. In most of those the defense attorney requested a continuance, as the cases were not ready yet for a variety of reasons, including the public defender had only recently been given the case. In another they were trying to work out a deal.

A few cases were only status checks, making sure the upcoming trial date was still good.

One defendant just wanted “to get it over with” but his lawyer was seeking a continuance. Criminal charges were dropped for one woman, but she did plea to a civil infraction with a $150 fine, “Like a speeding ticket,” Gillings said.

In each of the cases where continuances were granted, the judge reminded them they are waiving their rights to a speedy trial.

Gillings only seemed to get upset one time – when a defendant did not show up.

“My client’s not here,” his attorney said, adding that’s not like him to be unreliable. “We’re very sorry. It’s human error.”

Gillings was not impressed. There’s a printed warning that says if he doesn’t show up a warrant could be issued for his arrest, Gillings said. “We all figured it out,” he said of the few dozen people in the courtroom.

“They don’t want to be here” either, but they are because they don’t want to get into more trouble. “That’s why these folks are here.”

He issued a $1,000 warrant for the man’s arrest.

We had 9,500 cases last year, and we can’t be waiting for people, he added.

A few of the cases lasted a little longer, as defendants entered guilty pleas.

One woman pleaded guilty to negligent driving. Judge Gillings explained to her that if she decided to have a jury trial the prosecutor would have to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. She could receive up to a $1,000 fine and 90 days in jail.

The prosecutor recommended no jail time, a $150 fine and to have her appear before a victims panel.

Gillings said he also did not have to agree to any of that.

But the woman still wanted to plead guilty anyway. During sentencing, Gillings said since it was not a DUI he didn’t have to follow any mandatory sentencing for her. He followed the prosecutor’s recommendation, but told her to keep going to alcohol treatment.

Don’t assume the clinic will file the reports with the court, he said. You have to make sure they do. If you don’t, “You will regret that,” he said.

Also, a young man pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct, having a domestic violence charge dropped.

The man, who has two children, said he wanted to make the plea because if court proceedings went past a certain date he could be suspended from his job as a peer counselor.

“That’s good news, an opportunity for resolution,” Gillings said.

The prosecutor recommended a 90-day suspended jail sentence, two years of probation and a $150 fine.

The man must continue counseling that he has already started.

“This sentence requires that,” Gillings said.

The man said he has been living with his mom and thinking a lot about what happened. During counseling, he’s found he has “a lot of unresolved issues.”

“I want to be home with the kids and see them every day,” he said, asking the judge to reduce any fees or fines so he can “provide for my family.”

Judge Gillings reduced the fine to $100 and waived about $615 in court fees. The young man also was put on two years of unsupervised probation.

“Thank you so much,” the young man told the judge, smiling.