By JESSICA SIEFF
Niles Daily Star

Since age 12, Matthew McCarver, of Niles has appeared 35 times in court on various offenses, with 24 adult convictions and 11 juvenile offenses.

McCarver, 31, again appeared in Berrien County Court Monday on charges of assaulting a police officer and resisting arrest in February.

McCarver stood contentiously before the judge, speaking over Judge Scott Schofield in one instance and answering the judge’s request to speak with “go ahead.”

“All I did was run from one officer,” McCarver said. “Technically, I didn’t resist the handcuffs.”
Schofield was not swayed by McCarver’s disposition.

“With an offender who has less of a record than you do, there would not be a prison sentence,” he said.

McCarver stood before the judge on what would be the anniversary of his first offense, dating back to April 19, 1991 at age 12. Since that appearance, Schofield said McCarver had appeared a total of 35 times in court on various offenses, 24 adult convictions and 11 juvenile offenses.
“I hope you can understand why I am finding a prison sentence is in order for you, Mr. McCarver,” Schofield said.

McCarver was sentenced to a minimum stay of 12 months in prison.