“I’m placing a certified document before the court, Your Honor,” I said, my voice measured and even as I opened the briefcase latches.

I took out the crisp parchment with its embossed gold seal and handed it directly to the court bailiff.

Vance scoffed, shaking his head toward the defense table.

“Your Honor, suspended county staff aren’t allowed to submit ex parte filings during an active felony arraignment.”

Judge Alvarez took the parchment from the bailiff, unfolded the heavy official paper, and silently read the gold-embossed lines at the top.

His eyes moved down to the bold presidential seal in the bottom left corner, then rose slowly to look straight at me.