he is 19 and was drinking and driving- fled police and hit 2 cruisers. the prosecutor has charged him with 8 felonies. if convicted he faces 42 years in prison. no one was hurt no prior trouble.
2006-10-28 07:31:30 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
10K for an attorney would be too cheap when looking at 8 felonies. Get THE best attorney you can afford. Ask around, then ask around again. Get the one who knows everyone at the courthouse, not the nice guy with the pleasant smile. $5K down is more like it. You're talking about his life, after all. What's that worth?
My husband has done 26 years of a 41 year sentence in federal prison. I would not wish 42 years in prison on anyone just for a stupid mistake they made as a kid. People flee all the time, especially while under the influence. If he had no prior trouble, and no one was hurt, this could help.
The only thing that could go against him is if he runs his mouth. If he is currently in jail awaiting bond or whatever, or has suddenly acquired new friends on the outside, tell him to keep his mouth shut no matter what. Inside, someone else can get a shortened sentence if they help bury him. They can even make up something totally false, and send your son to hell. So tell him, shut up shut up shut up. The lawyer is the only one to talk to.
Law enforcement might also offer to make your son a deal in exchange for being a rat against some of his friends, if he has friends that law enforcement would like to nail. I hate a snitch, but prison is full of them these days. Just remind him, he might wind up in the same prison as the friends he snitched on. At this point, law enforcement is not his friend. Sounds like the federal prosecutor is lining himself up for a policitical kill, also. Remind your son that it is nothing personal, it's all politics.
There's a lot more to this than the basic situation, but as others have told you, get the best, meanest, smartest lawyer you can afford. And tell your son to keep his mouth shut. Right now, he has no friends.
Blessings on you for standing by him. I sincerely hope he has learned something. Not everyone does.
2006-10-28 17:16:31 · answer #1 · answered by His Old Lady 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get him a good attorney and make him admit to his mistakes to his attorney only(who is paid to protect him) - then follow the attorney's advice. He needs to be in a treatment program as it is illegal to drink if you aren't 21 - ask the attorney (it may even look good if he volunteers and it doesn't look like he was forced into treatment).
Remember to tell him- I want my attorney and will not speak to anyone without my attorney!!!! Any statement your son makes without an attorney can be used to send him away for the full time.
**The best thing you can do is be supportive, get him an attorney and let him face what he did. If is part of being an adult.**
Most prosecutors lay the charges on heavy so there is room to plea bargain - so a good lawyer is a must have in any court case. Lawyers take payments and some even do pro bono work - start hitting the telephone book.
2006-10-28 07:40:55 · answer #2 · answered by Akkita 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It takes a lawyer. Might be close to $2k for the retainer and as high as $10k for the bill you're going to get from the results. Only a lawyer will get any kind of leniency. Walking into the DA's office by yourself will just get you reemed. They're just too severe on DWI. There could be some results about giving the kid a second chance with probation. But, at some point he'll have to grow up and that includes he doesn't live with you anymore.
Source: I know too many DWI idiots. One serving 27 years for his fifth conviction because his daddy supported him after each release.
2006-10-28 07:46:46 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like your son made a lot of bad decision, followed by a lot of bad decisions. If he would have just stopped and owned up to his mistakes he wouldn't have gotten in near as much trouble, instead he evaded arrest in a vehicle while under the influence resulting in his damaging government property and endangering lives. I don't mean to sound like an ******, but whatever the final sentence he gets is well deserved. The maxim in such cases may be 42 years, but unless the prosecution can show a pattern of delinquency he'll get a much smaller sentence. I advise you get a lawyer and convince your son to own up to his mistakes, take responsibility like a man and apologize to those he could have killed. Judge's are usually more lenient on those who show true remorse and willingness to repay their debt than those who stand in stark defiance. Good luck.
2006-10-28 07:40:05 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Good grief! Sorry about what has happened to you as a Mother. I was lucky my son never got into that much trouble. Make sure you have a good lawyer, and maybe he will not have to serve all those years and get out in 5 or 10 years. Just try to support him if you can, but you know he has to be punished for what he did. This maybe what he needs to help him later in life.
2006-10-28 07:47:18 · answer #5 · answered by MissySue 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The judge will let him off with a lighter sentence. They the system will work you over for every penny your worth. With no regard as to your ability to pay. If legal age is 18 in your state & you do not want to get worked over by the system "courts lawyers judge etc." You must say here you have him letem fend for himself & hope their jails or overburden already so they will be happy not to have to pay for his living costs etc. If they know your a sucker & will pay like randsom for hostage taking don't think for 1 second they won't take advantage of this! Sound cold but might save you some money & the jail sentence will be the same anyway for first offense!
2006-10-28 07:51:54 · answer #6 · answered by bulabate 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
hire a great lawyer. i know that's obvious. where do you live? go to the library and check out some similar cases to see what you are looking at. also, if you et your kid off the hook, does he truly understand the severity of his actions? I mean, what was he thinking? I know you know this already, i just can't help but think that similar events are possible in the future. The person really suffering here is you and you should make sure he understands that.
2006-10-28 07:34:03 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
If I were the judge the "no one hurt" idea wouldn't go very far. I suppect it was pure luck they were not hurt or killed.
I get a top lawyer as I suppect the cops he ran into are going to to show up for the trial. I know I would.
2006-10-28 07:40:50 · answer #8 · answered by madjer21755 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As others have said, make sure he gets a lawyer. If he or you can't afford one, the court will appoint one for him. Continue to be there for him and make sure he knows that.
2006-10-28 07:40:21 · answer #9 · answered by rec 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get a lawyer
2006-10-28 07:33:55 · answer #10 · answered by Dark Knight 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋