Yes. That is what I said. I went to jail. Last month. It was a bit scary at the time, but looking back now, I find it comical and I feel it would make an interesting story to tell.

Yep. Mug shot and everything. Aren’t I a pretty jailbird?

Imagine. Its 8:30pm. I just dropped my kids off at the sitter and I am going to meet my girlfriends for sushi.

I don’t have tags on my car, but I have all the information proving I am trying to get them in the glove compartment.

I pull up to a stoplight. There is no one around.

Suddenly, out of nowhere, I see red and blue lights.

I think, “No big deal. I just need to show them my paperwork and I will be on my merry way”

Little did I know.

The (very attractive) officer took my license and registration and I sat patiently waiting. While I was waiting I called my friend Kayla to inform her that I might be a few minutes late because I had just been pulled over.

When he came back to the door, he said “I have good and bad news, which would you like first?”

I figured the worst news I could get was that he was actually going to write me a ticket.

“Give me the good news, officer.”

“Well, ma’am, I am not going to give you a ticket this evening.”

Yay! Great news! Wait. What does that mean the bad news is????

“Okaaaay, so what is the bad news?”

“Well, Miss Norman, you have a warrant for your arrest.”

Laughter. Disbelief. I actually thought he was kidding with me.

“No, I don’t.” With a big smile on my face. I begin to roll up the window in an effort to drive away.

He raps on the glass as his voice takes on a sterner tone. “Actually, you do ma’am.”

Panicked now, I start asking a million questions.

“I do??? What is it for? Does that mean you are arresting me? Will I have to go to jail? I have kids, officer! Will I be able to get them from the babysitter tonight? How does this work? Why do I have a warrant? Can you tell me any information? Did I forget to pay a ticket?”

Thankfully I had been pulled over by the nicest officer in the universe.

“Ma’am the warrant is out of Linn County, and…”

I interrupt: “Where is that?”

“Well, ma’am, I am not sure”

“I have never heard of it. I doubt I have been there. Why do I have a warrant from there?”

“I was getting to that ma’am. It looks like the warrant is for fraud”

“FRAUD?!?! What do you mean? What exactly is fraud and what did I do to get charged with it? Did you figure out where Linn County is??? I don’t understand why this is happening. The worst I have done is drive without tags!!! I am not a criminal, officer. I promise!!!”

“Ma’am, I hate to do this, but we will have to sort this out at the station. I have to take you in since you do have a warrant.”

“Okay officer, I hope we can sort this out quickly. It was supposed to be mom’s night out. Can I call my babysitter and let her know what is going on? I needed to be back by midnight… or do you think I will be able to get the kids on time? ”

“Well, I will let you use the phone in the car, but I really need to go ahead and take you in. You might be out by midnight, but you might not. I am not sure what will happen or if you have to bond out or what.”

“Okay, sir. Thank you for understanding.”

I get out of the car and he puts the handcuffs on. Weirdest sensation ever. Metal bracelets. I’ve heard they can put them on incredibly tight, but mine were loose, a little like wearing bangles… only they were connected to each other.

“I am putting these on you in the front so you can still make any phone calls you need to as we drive.”

“Thank you so much, officer. I am really confused about what’s happening right now. I appreciate you being so helpful.”

I sit down in the back seat of the police car. There are dividers and bars on every side of me. Its an interesting feeling. Definitely not one I want to repeat anytime soon.

As we drive the 2 miles to the police station, I make phone calls to several friends as well as the babysitter to ensure that my kids will be safe, and hopefully get the ball rolling for me to get OUT of jail.

TO BE CONTINUED…