‘I’m glad you gave up that life of crime’: Judge dismisses 26-year-old arrest warrant for pettiest of offenses

Mr. Smith finally had his day and court, and it couldn't have gone much better for him.

MARTINEZ — Roughly 26 years ago, a man known in court only as “Mr. Smith” was accused of being a Contra Costa County drug pusher.

Well, sort of.

Smith was charged in 1993 with selling 1.1 grams of marijuana. When he missed a court date, a warrant was issued for his arrest. He was never brought to justice, but on Friday, he decided it was time to finally settle up.

His court hearing lasted about two minutes.

Smith appeared before Contra Costa County Superior Court Judge Patricia Scanlon on Friday afternoon. His case was called, and he met his public defender, Elise McNamara, for the first time. The Contra Costa County District Attorney — in light of the fact that marijuana has been largely decriminalized in California and that Smith had barely been accused of a crime — had already agreed that the charge should be dismissed.

When Scanlon read the charged offense, the courtroom erupted in laughter.

“I don’t think your lawyer had even been born yet when you committed this offense,” Scanlon told Smith, informing him the charge was now null and void and he was free to go.

But before Smith left, Scanlon had one final message for him.

“I’m glad you gave up that life of crime,” she said, her voice full of snark.

Once again, laughter emanated from the courtroom gallery. Smith turned and exited, an ear-to-ear grin on his face.