Well, back from court...

BTM · September 19, 2011, 09:15:04 PM

Went to court today, my appointment was at 1:30pm, we arrived at 1pm... and they started promptly around 2:45. Long story short, my lawyer pulled my mom and me aside and said the state has a deal for us: plead guitly and get five years, or I can plead guilty and hope for a better sentence from the judge (or, I assume) go to trial.

Things were way too busy for my lawyer to talk to us in detail, so he told me to call and make another appointment with him. My next trial date is Nov 22nd (yay, I get to wait two MORE months!)

So... I don't know. I'm trying hard not to really think about the situation too much. Doing a search or two on "going to prison" advice, trying to find something that might be helpful. I'm pretty sure in a few hours it's going to hit me and I'm going to start breaking down.

Yeah, I'm worried. Let's face it, I'm six foot six, so I'm not the type who can just "blend in" or "hide" in any environment. I'm going to get noticed, I just hope I don't attract too much of the wrong type of attention.

I gotta go.. need something to clear my head.

Nightowl · September 19, 2011, 09:21:34 PM

Sorry, I haven't been on Bad Movies for a while now, what exactly did you do?

BTM · September 19, 2011, 09:38:32 PM

Quote from: Nightowl on September 19, 2011, 09:21:34 PM
Sorry, I haven't been on Bad Movies for a while now, what exactly did you do?

I've never discussed the details, I don't really care to get into the whys right now.

Rev. Powell · September 19, 2011, 09:52:38 PM

I hope for the best for you BTM. Maybe you can get a suspended sentence. Rarely does a five year sentence actually equate to five years served.

JaseSF · September 20, 2011, 12:36:02 AM

Me too. Sounds like you're going through a challenging time but hopefully things will still work out .

Mofo Rising · September 20, 2011, 02:49:08 AM

Here's hoping for the best, BTM.

No matter what comes, just have faith in yourself that you can be strong enough to handle whatever life throws at you. Good luck!

Psycho Circus · September 20, 2011, 07:05:34 AM

Stay strong dude, it may not be a bad as what you're thinking in your head and you may only end up doing a few months.

The Burgomaster · September 20, 2011, 08:06:49 AM

I personally know 3 people who spent time in prison (one was in for 9 years for dragging a police officer with his car and killing him, the others were in for less than 5 years each). Although prison is not a fun place to be, none of them said it was nearly as bad as what you see on TV and in movies. Of course, that all depends on which prison you go to. Whatever happens, I wish you the best. Try to stay positive if you can.

AndyC · September 20, 2011, 09:36:09 AM

On the bright side, prison might offer a break from your other worries, some stability and structure, and time to sort yourself out.

JJ80 · September 20, 2011, 10:23:41 AM

Good luck!

Cthulhu · September 20, 2011, 10:47:29 AM

I don't know what you did or didn't do, but be strong.

BTM · September 21, 2011, 04:20:59 PM

Quote from: Rev. Powell on September 19, 2011, 09:52:38 PM
I hope for the best for you BTM. Maybe you can get a suspended sentence. Rarely does a five year sentence actually equate to five years served.

Well, dunno for sure, but I BELIEVE Illinois has a thing where for some crimes they reduce your sentence by one day for each day of good behavior you have on record. That's one of several things I'm going to ask my attorney about next time I see him

Rev. Powell · September 21, 2011, 05:37:48 PM

Quote from: BTM on September 21, 2011, 04:20:59 PM
Quote from: Rev. Powell on September 19, 2011, 09:52:38 PM
I hope for the best for you BTM. Maybe you can get a suspended sentence. Rarely does a five year sentence actually equate to five years served.

Well, dunno for sure, but I BELIEVE Illinois has a thing where for some crimes they reduce your sentence by one day for each day of good behavior you have on record. That's one of several things I'm going to ask my attorney about next time I see him

From the Illinois Dept. of Corrections website (http://www.idoc.state.il.us/subsections/faq/default.shtml):

"Statutory Good Time refers to the percentage of time an inmate must spend incarcerated. Inmates serve 50%, 75%, 85%, or 100% of their sentence. This is determined by statute and is based on the offense that was committed. Inmates may lose some of that good time based on their behavior while in custody."

Criswell · September 21, 2011, 09:56:47 PM

Be strong man, and i hope you can work things out and pull through it.

BTM · September 25, 2011, 12:42:10 AM

Thanks everyone.

I'm seeing my lawyer Wednesday morning. I'll have a lot of questions to ask him, and we'll see what happens from there.