Court release derailed by syringes, drugs

A woman was close to walking out of court Thursday with only a short lecture from Flathead District Judge Robert Allison but instead was sent back to jail for allegedly bringing syringes and drugs to the Flathead County Justice Center.

Miranda Michelle McArthur, 33, had pleaded not guilty to felony criminal possession of dangerous drugs and felony bail jumping on Thursday, one week after she failed to show up to court.

Allison was prepared to release McArthur and quash a warrant for McArthur’s arrest after lecturing her on the importance of showing up for court, but she had one task to complete: Go downstairs to the Flathead County Detention Center to be booked and released.

McArthur was returned upstairs within half an hour.

“She was allegedly found to be in possession of syringes,” Allison said.

She also had suspected methamphetamine.

The judge issued a $20,000 warrant and McArthur broke down as she was taken into custody, sobbing loudly.

“I don’t want to stay in jail,” she wailed.

McArthur’s sobs could be heard from the back of the courtroom for several minutes after she was taken to detention.

McArthur was booked on the bail jumping and criminal possession of dangerous drugs charge to which she already pleaded not guilty, plus new charges of criminal possession of drug paraphernalia and criminal possession of dangerous drugs.

Reporter Megan Strickland can be reached at 758-4459 or mstrickland@dailyinterlake.com.