Re: 2nd theft offense while on probation

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Make every attempt you can to get the help you think you need.
Then listen to a Dr and get the help he advises of you. In
both cases document the lengths you go through. Include money
spent on visiting, gas, deductibles, etc... I am guessing you
will have a court appointed defense. Talk to them. Tell them
what you have told this board. In fact don't even read anymore
of this and go talk to any attorney in that district you can
(preferably the one who will defend you)... A lot of time the
defense atty knows the judge you will have and can advise
based on that as well... you need to get off the computer and
get on the phone...

Good luck

C

On 6/11/08, andrea wrote:
> my name is andrea and i am twenty years old and living in
> michigan. i have never gotten into any kind of trouble
> until this passed january where i attempted and was caught
> shoplifting for the first time (a $14 package of socks). i
> was given a ticket and the court ordered me to choose
> between either 90 days in jail, a $500 fine, or ten days
> of community service. because i am working a minimum wage
> job, paying for my own apartment, i chose the community
> service.
>
> i am still on probation and was caught stealing
> merchandise equal to about $30 at a rite-aid. i was
> arrested and taken to jail where i posted a $500 bond.
> while being questioned at my arrival to the station the
> officers realized that i have a few mental disorders. not
> willing to talk much about them to the officers, they
> still insisted that after i post bond i should check
> myself into the hospital psych unit nearby. i can't afford
> to do so, so i won't. (will that make me look bad?)
>
> i am just trying to figure out what will happen to me. i
> want to get punished. i deserve it! but more than anything
> i want to get help for my conditions that i feel directly
> relate to my crimes. do you think the judge will have any
> empathy? i've been told before when asking this question
> that i am making up excuses for my crimes. but 1) i want
> to get punished, again, i feel as though i deserve it. i
> do! 2) there are scars all over my body from years and
> years of torturing myself so this is not something i am
> making up on the spot in hopes of getting any pity from
> anyone.
>
> i just need to know what you think my future holds for me.
> like i said, i'm working at a minimum wage job where i can
> only get around 20 hours a week, i am living on my own
> because when i lived with my mom we were without
> electricity, heat, and a car. she emotionally abused me
> all of my life and i had to get away from her. i feel as
> though the fact that i am living on my own will beg the
> question if i can afford that, then why steal? but that's
> no the case at all! and also, i am paying my own way
> throught college completely by myself and am making the
> dean's list when in high school i didn't even graduate on
> time due to my mental conditions. i am trying to make a
> life for myself but keep setting myself back! will the
> judge have any empathy for me? will he see that i am
> trying (failing miserably at times, but i am obviously
> making an effort, and making some progress) to better
> myself from my past? i can't afford any type of fines (but
> in reality, who says that they CAN?) and want to pay out
> as littles as possible. not for my own greed, but so i can
> keep my home. what do you think will happen?