Update on my daughter's friend, Chris

[tc]

We go to a status conference today at 2:00 in Boulder. Basically Chris has a decision to make before we get there. He's been offered a plea. First, take the misdemeanor and the felony goes away, take a deferred sentence on the felony, if, in a year, he kept his nose clean, the felony and misdemeanor are off his record, if he gets in any trouble, even minor trouble, he has the felony for life, or take it to trial. The PD said trial is 50/50, if he looses, he has both on his record for life. I talked to the PD a couple of weeks ago, and he told me that any character references would really help his case. I filled him in on Chris' life, how he has lived on his own for a couple of years, went to school, held down a full time job, etc. The PD said that puts a whole new light on it. He said maybe he can get a deferrment on the misdemeanor if his character references look good. I called his boss (who loves him), the intern from church who lives with me, his recruiter, etc. and they all faxed letters. Now, today, Chris talked to the PD and he said none of that matters. He needs to decide what he's gonna do before he gets to court today, and that's that. I do not like this PD. I thought an attorney wouldn't lie to me, but he did. I wish all attorneys could be like the one I work for, she's so honest it's amazing.

So, that's the story. I'll post an update when we get back.

Thanks for praying, and continue to pray until this whole thing is over.

 

[Rajah]

How sad. Thanks for continuing to support him. Sending more P&PD that this works out right!

Thanks for the update.

 

[preshi]

You know.... it sounds lie he's a good kid so even if he does get the misdemenor he shouldn;t have to worry! He has some great support he'll be just fine. Keeping him in my thoughts!!

 

[LisaTx]

I hope all goes well for Chris today, TC.

 

[Pin Wizard]

More prayers and PD for Chris!

 

[Boots]

Saying a prayer. Please let me know what happened! {{{{HUGS}}}}

 

[Serena]

TC, I hope everything goes well. Chris deserves a break.

 

[olena]

I hope this comes out well for Chris. If the court was smart, Chris' record wouldn't be so marred that he can't enter the military. That experience holds so much character-building potential for American youth.

 

[Mamu]

Hoping all goes well.

 

[Kermit]

I'm praying that everything will go well. Bless you for doing so much to try to help him. If nothing else, you've proven to him that there are people who are good and who are willing to help him.

 

[Big V]

I hope it went well Kelli. Please give us an update.

 

[Serena]

Kelli, how did it go????

 

[MerryPoppins]

I had trouble sleeping last night, and Chris was on my mind for some reason. I hadn't seen this thread, so that wasn't the reason. I said a prayer for him, and I was sure shocked when this was one of the first threads I saw this morning. I'd be very interested in how things went yesterday.

 

[DopeyRN]

I hope all went well. He deserves a break here. Prayers said.

 

[mamajoan]

Chris is a lucky fella to have such wonderful, supportive friends.

Hoping all goes well.

 

[JAP]

Good luck to Chris. I hope it turns out ok for him. Tough spot to be in.

It is my experience that the judge will look at the character references. Be sure that Chris' attorney gets those in front of the judge. It does not matter what the PD told Chris. Ultimately it will be the judge's decision.

 

[browneyes]

How did it go?

 

[minniecarousel]

Just saw this - hoping that it went well yesterday.
It looks like I'm not the only one who has appreciated the updates on this fine young man. Good luck to him.

 

[tc]

Update:

We spent the entire afternoon at court. I decided I do not like his PD, very rude man. Chris decided to take the deferred sentence with probation on the felony. The PD told him he'd have to pay $40 a month for supervised probation and keep his nose clean for one year, and it would be over. Chris asked if that was all, and he was told yes. The DA excepted his plea, and they drew up the paperwork. They gave it to Chris, we read it, and it said he had to pay over $700 instead of just the $480. I asked him if he could do that (they said they would take payments) and he said he'd ask his uncle if he couldn't come up with it. They rushed us through reading the pile of papers, and then he signed it. His case was called and his PD explained the case. The PD said Chris found out his roommate was taking things from him and Chris went into his room to retrieve his things, the, out of anger, he took a bunch of cd's that didn't belong to him. You could see that Chris was immediately mad. He raised his hand to say something, and the judge (very nice) said he'd have a chance to speak on his own behalf in a moment. I couldn't believe his PD said that. Those cd's belonged to Chris, and he did nothing "out of anger". He just wanted to separate himself from this thieving friend. The DA then said her case. The only thing she said were not facts was that the roommate was stealing things from Chris. The judge accepted the plea, but added community service onto his sentence. The PD never said that could happen. Chris said his piece, stating that the cd's belonged to him, and that he only took things that belonged to him. He said it was his roommate's word against his. After the sentencing, the PD entered my letter, and showed it to the judge. It seemed an odd time, but I think it did help. The judge said, after reading the letter, that he looked like a responsible young man, and told him he didn't have to have supervised probation, just community service, so his court costs were reduced to about $300. It costs $100 to do community service, and they allowed him to do it in Keystone. All in all, it was a rough day, but he's glad it's over. He says he'll have no trouble keeping out of trouble. He doesn't drink or do drugs, so all he has to worry about are his roommates doing something dumb, and they promised they wouldnt'.

Oh yeah, and the $20,000 bond is released, Yayyy!

 

[tc]

Update:

We spent the entire afternoon at court. I decided I do not like his PD, very rude man. Chris decided to take the deferred sentence with probation on the felony. The PD told him he'd have to pay $40 a month for supervised probation and keep his nose clean for one year, and it would be over. Chris asked if that was all, and he was told yes. The DA excepted his plea, and they drew up the paperwork. They gave it to Chris, we read it, and it said he had to pay over $700 instead of just the $480. I asked him if he could do that (they said they would take payments) and he said he'd ask his uncle if he couldn't come up with it. They rushed us through reading the pile of papers, and then he signed it. His case was called and his PD explained the case. The PD said Chris found out his roommate was taking things from him and Chris went into his room to retrieve his things, the, out of anger, he took a bunch of cd's that didn't belong to him. You could see that Chris was immediately mad. He raised his hand to say something, and the judge (very nice) said he'd have a chance to speak on his own behalf in a moment. I couldn't believe his PD said that. Those cd's belonged to Chris, and he did nothing "out of anger". He just wanted to separate himself from this thieving friend. The DA then said her case. The only thing she said were not facts was that the roommate was stealing things from Chris. The judge accepted the plea, but added community service onto his sentence. The PD never said that could happen. Chris said his piece, stating that the cd's belonged to him, and that he only took things that belonged to him. He said it was his roommate's word against his. After the sentencing, the PD entered my letter, and showed it to the judge. It seemed an odd time, but I think it did help. The judge said, after reading the letter, that he looked like a responsible young man, and told him he didn't have to have supervised probation, just community service, so his court costs were reduced to about $300. It costs $100 to do community service, and they allowed him to do it in Keystone. All in all, it was a rough day, but he's glad it's over. He says he'll have no trouble keeping out of trouble. He doesn't drink or do drugs, so all he has to worry about are his roommates doing something dumb, and they promised they wouldnt'.

Oh yeah, and the $20,000 bond is released, Yayyy!