Three young men in jail garb and ankle chains arrested for allegedly stealing copper pipe and other property plead with Douglas County District Court Judge Paula Martin to be released from jail on their own recognizance.

They say they have started a landscaping business and if they don’t get out of jail, they’ll lose the business. One says he has to get out to help his girlfriend. “I’m not trying to run,” he says.

But Assistant District Attorney Eve Kemple says that’s what she’s concerned about. The three defendants are from North Carolina and have been in the area for a few months, she says.

Because they have few ties to the community, Martin says, she is denying their request. They’re escorted back to the jail and will return next week for another hearing in their legal process.

The weekly docket call in Martin’s court is far from what is shown about the legal process on television shows such as “Law & Order.”

A steady stream of defendants appear before Martin starting at 1 p.m., with Kemple representing the state.

Kemple has a box of folders for each case, color-coded to indicate the level of crime. She confers with defense attorneys to reach agreements.

From the bench, Martin, in a polite and concise manner, asks questions of the attorneys and defendants trying to resolve cases, sets hearings and keeps the process moving.