I have a serious problem and I would like some opinions...?

Question

I will be honest. I asked this question before and said it was about a friend but it's actually about me. I am facing nine counts of second degree forgery because I wrote some bad checks to support a drug habit I used to have. I don't use drugs anymore. I confessed to my crime and I haven't spent any jail time yet. I was indicted by a grand jury in KY (commonwealth state, by the way), and I have to go to my final pretrial conference in October and if they don't offer any pleas then, I have to face a jury trial. I have never been in any trouble before and I have a college degree. Basically, I was a quiet, law abiding citizen before all of this happened, and now everyone thinks I am a dopehead theif. I know it will be a long time, if ever, before I get my reputation straightened out. My question to you is do you think there is anyway they will give some other form of punishment besides jail time? I am so scared of going to jail, I know the old saying if your big enough to commit the crime then your big enough to pay the time. But I just believe that non-violent, first time offenders should be offered some other form of punishment besides jail. And then if they don't learn their lesson, then yeah go ahead and stick it to them. But I have learned my lesson. Does anyone agree? The first time I asked this question, basically everybody said the person I was talking about should definitely punish and be incarcerated. So I knew that's what a jury would say based on the answers I got on here. Anyone have any advice or comments? Please don't be too harsh.

Answer 1

Best of luck you cannot change your past you can only change your future and try not to make the mistakes you once made.  i hope you do not go to jail and I wish you the best!  Try to be a law abiding citizen for now on for it is the right thing to do.

Answer 2

well l think jail is no place for u, u should just work so u can pay off the bad checks but hey thats just me, l will pray 4 u, hope all goes well and if not, god will never leave u...good luck sweetie....

Answer 3

Everyone treats you like a dope-head thief -- because you are a dope-head thief.  You used drugs and you stole from others to support that habit.

An alcoholic who stopped drinking - is still an alcoholic. They are just in recovery. That's why they stand up at the meeting and say "My Name is John and I'm an alcoholic".

I don't know what you did to stop using drugs but it does not seem to have included any type of program. I suggest you check out the local Narcotics Anonymous meeting near you.

What steps have you taken to pay restitution to the people/businesses you stole from?

Ken Lay (Enron) was a first time non-violent offender. Do you think he should have been spared jail time because of that?  

So, no, I do not agree. I don't think you have learned your lesson. I think you are just scared of going to jail. Once the threat of jail has passed, you will revert back to your old habits unless you get the appropriate help. (And even then- it's not guarantee a relapse will not happen)

PS. Actually I know several addicts (family members) which is why I don't accept your addiction as a justification for your actions. Your addiction is not an excuse to steal from people.

Society is very tired of "but the drugs made me do it". You stole from innocent people and businesses - In your entire post - you expressed no remorse for your actions or indicate any steps you took to make amends. It's all about You. You should be judged harshly.

You will probably get a slap on the wrist - but you should go to jail. And if you can't handle the opinions offered - don't post on public message boards asking for them.

Again- I encourage you to seek assistance from a drug program or NA. http://www.na.org/basic.htm

NA and AA have been very beneficial to the addicts in my life. Most are still in recovery- but several have fallen off the wagon and gotten back on. 1 relapsed and it resulted in his death.

http://www.na.org/basic.htm#Membershipde...

Your familyand friends may benefit from Nar Anon. http://nar-anon.org/index.html

Answer 4

It would probably help with a plea agreement if you are getting counseling and trying to pay back for the forgery. It is not a given but the effort of trying to make things right will help.  Maybe then you will get probation. Good Luck and stay clean.