"We have now reached sentencing in the Superior Court," the judge began, "can the defendant please rise and approach the bench?"
Nervously, Alice stood and got up to her podium, her attorney's head shaking behind her.
"Given your plea deal with the People, I have **** but to sentence you to the minimum sentence required by that agreement, namely twenty years."
Alice's heart fell as the reality and gravity of the situation dawned on her.
"But," the judge continued, "given the manifestly absurd and unjust means whereby you pled guilty, my conscience requires me to give you the maximum leeway possible. As such, I'm giving you the minimum of six months before you can appear before the parole board and be released to serve your sentence on parole in lieu of prison."
Alice was still too shocked to feel any real relief from that announcement, though her attorney sighed gladly.
"Until then, however, I must remit you to the custody of the Department of Corrections."
With that, a cop took Alice by the arm and led her away to the jail.
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