What to expect?

Question

Hey, So heres the deal. I messed up real bad for the first time in my life. I went to jail for 4 days for attempted burglary. Now im not here to bug you all by asking "how do I get out of this" because I realize I messed up big time and I wana do what I have to do to make up for my mistakes, do my time and just move on and never mess up again. I'm 21, ive never been in trouble before and I really didden't try to break in, but I guess it dosen't matter because either way I put myself in this situation. So my only real question is how long do you think I will go to jail for? I went to pre pre and was offerd a ple of 8 months in jail with a felony on my record. That was with a public deffender who really seemed not to care. My family has offerd to get me a lawyer but I don't want them paying for my mistakes. Unless I think it's worth it...Do you think I could get it down more or should I just take this and get it over with and move on? thanks for you time

Answer 1

GET A GOOD LAWYER. So many people are young and naive about it, and don't realize that having that record is going to affect you long after you "pay for the mistake"-- examples, getting into school, jobs, voting, getting a mortgage, buying a car, prevention from insurance certifications, and more. I hate to say it, and don't take it the wrong way, but our legal system has reached a point where if you can shell out some cash on a good attorney, you have WAY better odds. And getting out of a charge in the first place is a lot easier than 10 or 15 years later trying desperately to get something expunged. (or realizing that you can't buy that house, or get that job.... )

Fact is, you can be a hardcore bad guy, or a young person that did something stupid that once-- when someone looks at that record you don't get those details. You just see the charge. Theres no difference. In a perfect world there would be, but in this one there isn't. Let your pride go, let your family help you if they can. You don't get any points in the judicial system for being moral. So worry about the charges now, then worry about being moral afterwards when you are free. Thats when you should apply those moral sentiments-- and be thankful to the family and friends that are there for you and helped you "pay for your mistakes". If you're really repenting for messing up, be humble, accept their help-- don't make this something you and they have to live with forever if you don't have to. You're talking about something that could affect your whole life.

Answer 2

Make a good defense of your case since you said that you did not try to break in. It is the only way that you can get rid of the case. Stand guard when in right and prove your allegations by presenting valid evidence and credible witnesses.