Dear Reddit, Wednesday I'm going to jail for 3 months for a crime that makes no sense. How should I spend my last day and a half?

leftsideofthelane · 3 months

Tell me which penitentiary you're going to be in and I'll come visit you and tell you all about whats been going on in reddit.

Eat_a_Bullet · 3 months

I apologize in advance for the harsh tone of my comment, but I wish to provide some serious advice. You fit the profile of someone who committed a crime, but is in denial. I am probably misreading you, but your explanation is identical to those of convicts who don't know that you've read their file and think they can get away with being partially truthful.

Unless you are the unluckiest person on earth, there is clearly more to this story. You say you don't know why the police looked at your transaction in particular. This information is available in the various police reports in evidence. The police are required to document the reason for and methodology of their investigation in detail. You have a right to examine all of the evidence against you, except in extraordinary cases (like when the feds assert State Secrets). This information is easily available, and it's a red flag that you claim not to have it.

Chances are, your public defender is advising you to take a plea bargain because he thinks you'll be found guilty and it's in your best interest. Contrary to popular belief, most public defenders work very hard in their clients' interests, and don't just "do what's easy." They are not always as effective as private counsel simply because of their crushing workload, but only the worst of the worst public defenders would advise an innocent woman to accept jail time because of his schedule.

"Remorse" can be considered a mitigating factor when determining sentencing. "Acknowledging Fault" can be another. This may explain why you are facing jail time, even though you only have a minor conviction on your record.

If I am misreading you, then ignore this comment and know I meant no offense. If I'm right, then my advice would be to stop lying to yourself and others. Lying can work on friends and family, but law enforcement officers hear the same lies day after day, and it doesn't work on them.

MasterCode · 3 months

I think there's more to the story here:

What false information did you actually give to the pawn shop? (in other words: are you actually guilty?)
Were you actually pawning something that was stolen?
Where does your friend live that he can't get to a pawnshop? You have to admit this sounds strange.
What are your prior convictions?
What are you facing if you take this to trial?

Edit: While I'm thinking of questions:

What reason is your lawyer advising you to take the plea? Is he/she advising you that you will get a longer sentence if you take this to trial?
If you think your lawyer's advice is so bad, why are you following his/her advice? You can get a different sentence from the judge. If you are actually innocent, then you won't get any sentence at all.

ScrewedThePooch · 3 months

Worst lawyer ever

Viagra_the_ED_Killer · 3 months

If you are allowed books, I would learn a new language in those 3 months.

Jeff_E_Popp · 3 months

This can not be the full story. I'm sorry, there seems to be something that we aren't being told. 3 months for selling stolen property? not even in Florida. Do you have priors? You mentioned an intervention program, were you holding/under the influence at any point? These are important details.

cagefightapuma · 3 months

I'm going to call bullshit on your story.

First if you friend asked you to pawn something for them, bring them along and have them bring proof the owned the object in question. My guess as to what really happened is either:

A) you and your friend hatched the brilliant scheme for them to steal something and for you to pawn it far away as not to draw attention. Even though pawn shops regularly present their ledgers to the burglary/robbery department. The item was either unique enough or had a serial number to ID it and that's why you for picked up.

B) your dick bag friend stole something, it was reported stolen and knowing that the mostly likely time to get caught used you as middleman to pawn it.

C) it's all made up.

Shadykinky · 3 months

Tell your attorney that you do not accept the plea bargain. Furthermore, confront your attorney and let them know that you have a case and your friend is willing to testify on your behalf. Also let them know that if they don't work in your best interests on this, you will find someone who will. If you didn't do it and your friend can vouch for this, then you are clear. There is absolutely no reason you should take the deal. Cut and dry. DO NOT TAKE IT, I REPEAT. I have been in this situation before and I just pretty much got on my attorney's case and told them that they had to get the charges dropped or we were going to court... I told them that they need to ask the prosecutor if this was really worth their time given the other REAL crimes going on and that I was innocent and, on principle, would fight it to the bitter end because I don't tolerate people calling my honor into question. They dropped the charges the following week.

TL/DR: I HAVE BEEN IN A VERY SIMILAR SITUATION. ALL CHARGES WERE DROPPED. FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, DO NOT TAKE THE DEAL. NEVER, EVER, EVER TAKE A PLEA BARGAIN IF YOU ARE INNOCENT. FIGHT IT AND MAKE IT CLEAR THAT YOU DON'T APPRECIATE THEM SLANDERING YOUR HONOR.

Zagrobelny · 3 months

Where are you in Florida? I know a good lawyer in Tampa. Not a criminal lawyer, but he knows some.

Don't take the deal. It's not about the three months, it's about the conviction that will appear on every job, school, and housing application for the rest of your life. If you had a decent lawyer, you'd get a deal for testifying against the actual criminal, your "friend". Everyone involved, cops, lawyers, etc., is trying to get this over with the easiest and laziest way possible. The cops don't want to investigate, the lawyer doesn't want to defend you. Don't make it easier on them, fight for yourself.

secretchimp · 3 months

OP must have done something idiotic like sell a gun. Nothing else that "isn't yours" would get you that much time if it wasn't reported stolen.

JBEHAR11 · 3 months

[deleted]

BorgMonkey · 3 months

Get your friend to write a short letter stating that he "gave" the item to you as a gift (thus you now own it) in order for you to pawn it and give him the money.

Have it notarized and give it to your lawyer and demand a trial.

Instantcretin · 3 months

[deleted]

shaffeasy · 3 months

I don't have much advice for once you're in jail but today you better get in your fapping. Last tits you'll be seeing for awhile :/

TinCupChallace · 3 months

Did you use a public defender or a private attorney? You should have gone to trial.. a jury would most likely side with you in no time and you would be found not guilty. Demand a trial. its your right.

blues_clues · 3 months

Knew this story was fake when I read this:

They would not give me my psych meds so it all was a blur.

Obvious attempt to appeal to reddits "the system is corrupt! look how they are treating her!" I really doubt that a government institution would refuse to give you your medications seeing as how it could easily open them up to lawsuits. Hell you see medicine lines all the time in prisons.

adamrehard · 3 months

First of all, that is such a stupid thing to be thrown in jail for it's crazy. I'm really sorry. I personally don't have any tips on jail except listen to the CO's.

beeblez · 3 months

GET A NEW LAWYER.

For fucks sake use those hours to not spend 3 months in jail.

Moultese · 3 months

Eat a big hearty meal and watch a funny movie.

I've read a few AMAs on here from people who did time. It's not like what the movies depict. They make it seem like as long as you aren't affiliated with a gang, you'll be okay. I'd use those 3 months (and the tons of free time that comes with it) and try to improve your life somehow. Read a book, learn something new, try to learn a new craft, something small like that.

DeliciousMoldyBread · 3 months

Dude there's a lot of stuff missing from this story...

iceymountie · 3 months

I feel like I've been given the whole story, really.

sweetjesusfacefuck · 3 months

Definitely spend all your time on reddit.

cool_hand_luke · 3 months

I get the feeling you're not telling everyone the full story here.

Sheensta · 3 months

What was the item, if you don't mind me asking?

epsilis · 3 months

I'm not reading through all the comments to see if this question was asked, but here goes. How the fuck did the cops find out you pawned something you didn't own? Did you accidentally pawn something that was stolen? This kind of smells like BS to be honest, so I'd have to say verify.

[deleted] · 3 months

Wow you have one more free day before jail and you spend it on Reddit?

morbiusfan88 · 3 months

Kill your idiot friend who got you into this situation.

DeaD_bAU5 · 3 months

Your first mistake was actually going to talk to the cops.

They are not your friends, and are looking to fuck you over any way they can. never EVER voluntarily go down to the cop station to talk with them.

Your second mistake was taking a public defender. They don't work for you, they try to do the least amount of work possible for their clients since they don't get paid by them. He told you to take a plea bargain becasue that's the easiest and quickest way for HIM to deal with it.

In the future remember to never to talk to police, ever, and hire your own lawyer.

ThreePoint1415926535 · 3 months

It's three months. Keep your head down, and nobody should pay you much notice.

shabatooo · 3 months

You are leaving out major parts of this story. If you want good solid advice you need to tell us what exactly happened, what you were arrested for, and what the charges and case are against you.

Thoraxe · 3 months

Do an epic /r/gonewild post

setadoon177 · 3 months

South florida..what a terrible place...lived in boca for a couple years and also had a swat team called on me for a weed grinder. fuck that place

QuaintSensibilities · 3 months

Dear reddit

I make shit up on the internet because I have no other way of validating my shitty existence.

fe3o4 · 3 months

Get a new lawyer....

AnnaPlaneta · 3 months

That really sucks! I'm sorry that happened to you. My best suggestion is to pass time reading, writing a diary/novel/memoir/comic, and working out when you're in jail.

Also make sure to tell your (non-judgmental/not dicks) friends and family so you can get some visits, and maybe they'll wire you money to get stuff in the jail store. I know that sounds a bit weird, but some of my classmates and friends have been to prison and I guess that ended up being pretty helpful, because you can trade for stuff, etc.

I'm really surprised that you couldn't get some kind of community service deal, bummer. Not to be a jerk, but on the bright side 3 months is not so long and you might meet some interesting people.

jasonxwoods · 3 months

You should write a day by day diary, you could post it online once your out. It would be an interesting insight for people who havent been in prison. Also it might help you deal with day to day stuff if your writing it dow each day, might help organise your thoughts and help you not get to overwhelmed.

Good luck at your hearing.

DoomKitteh · 3 months

Are you sure that the item was your friend's to start with? Because if you pawned something that he stole, then you are responsible. Just saying...

RandomRetroGameFacts · 3 months

South Florida...yep, that does suck. I live in Jupiter/Tequesta, for some reason they love throwing people in jail for extended periods of times for stupid ass reason. They were going to give my step-brother life for stealing (he was unarmed) someones purse from a boat (I was thinking perhaps they assumed identity theft or some shit, but you wouldn't get life for that.), we got a pretty decent lawyer and his sentence was reduced to 3 years, which is a pretty god damn dramatic change.

Wayfarer7 · 3 months

Anyone know what the cut off is between prison and jail as far as length of sentence? From my understanding, in my area (not Florida) a sentence that short would get you put in jail (temporary, not the hard core people) as opposed to prison (murders, rapists, etc.)

MelkorDCLXVI · 3 months

Since no one's asked directly (afaik), is there any way you can provide verification?

AlphaKat · 3 months

this story is bullshit.
if it's not, when you're in jail just read a lot and stay out of other girls' business.

imafishyfish · 3 months

DO NOT DO IT! It's not just a matter of "3 months and you can move on." Do you have any idea how hard it will be to get a job if you've been to jail? This could RUIN YOUR LIFE. Absolutely do not take the plea bargain.

Sabrina_x · 3 months

you can learn what you wanted to learn but never had a time for it

MyEvilDucky · 3 months

So, are you still friends with your friend?

[deleted] · 3 months

You should spend the entire time browsing Reddit, specifically ffffffuuuuuuuuuu

emperor000 · 3 months

Wow.

zerbey · 3 months

3 months for that? Get a better lawyer and appeal.

DontCareWhatYouThink · 3 months

There is no way we are getting the full story from the OP

KH10304 · 3 months

get a good lawyer. tell the lawyer what actually happened (ie you unknowingly sold a stolen good, which you had received from a friend). Whether or not this is snitching is debatable, as you are not accusing your friend of theft, but rather giving the cops a lead (who knows, maybe your friend bought them unknowingly). if the lawyer is good they can get you off, cause you didn't intend to commit a crime. there is no reason to have to do even 3 months time for something you didn't do. Good Lawyers can work wonders. (got a friend whose lawyer got him off for possession of a 1/2 Pound). You should also tell the lawyer about the denial of meds (maybe get some negligence claim going). As for last hours? Party Jail? if you get paranoid get a shank. if you get jumped, get a gang.

jacqueline1776 · 3 months

Find out what your mailing address will be while you are in jail and post it on reddit and ask people to mail you printouts of all the new memes or you will be hopelessly behind by the time you get out.

You're a girl and there's a zillion male Redditors who would be turned on by the idea of having a naughty girl penpal "in the slammer" so I bet you will actually get mail.

foochki · 3 months

eat as many twinkies as possible, and bacon.

atinasutherland · 3 months

Never ever ever ever accept a plea deal for something you honestly didn't do. Fight that shit. Tell your attorney you want to take it to trial.

I live in Gainesville. I took a plea deal for probation for something I didn't do and they violated me over $11.00 in fines I thought I paid and ended up going to jail for 3 months. I have never been in trouble and just fell for the states scare tactics. All they want to do is get plea deals. They don't have the time or money for trial and will either drop it or loose.

3 months

[deleted]

JINGER61 · 3 months

fap fap fap fap fap fap fap fap fap fap. Get on HIV meds to ward off the gay aggressors. Also just a precaution quit bathing and wiping for the same reason. Rather be skank than raped.

traveling__bandit · 3 months

Much of what I've read, I aggree with. Fight it. The time and the record are not worth it. As long as things are the way you say they are, you can win easily. Get on your public defender's ass. The more you show you care, the more motivated they may become. A win for you is a win for them, and I don't think they get a lot of that. Don't submit yourself to a police state. It's not worth it, but your freedom is!

Gordopolis · 3 months

There is more to this story then you are stating. Do you have a previous record? Your post isn't very coherent.

vunderbbar · 3 months

Spend your last hours with friends and family you care about and that care about you. Go into the city if you can, eat some good quality and fresh food, none of that processed fast food shit. Do some fun activities like going to a bar or something. Don't spend it inside doing nothing and feeling bad. Make the most of it now, so you have something to look forward to.

johnson-johnson · 3 months

I did not see this advice - you have the right to remain silent. never speak to a police, no matter what. http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-4097602514885833865

VikingEsquire · 3 months

DO NOT ACCEPT A PLEA BARGAIN.

Not only will this put you in jail for something you didn't do, it will also mark you as a criminal in many people's eyes.

Bad idea, do not do.

colbyisfly · 3 months

Just mind your own business and listen to the co's.

Volibooboo · 3 months

Watch the 25th Hour and feel badass while watching the ranting scene?

_freestyle · 3 months

Amurrica... land of the free!

altiif · 3 months

I'd figure out a way to escape from jail.

Ilikestrawberries · 3 months

Facing five years your lawyer got you a plea of three months...and he sucks? If you are unhappy with the plea go to trial but you will be facing they five years is going guilty and possibly more because DA's can add additional charges if a case goes to trial. Also I would like to point out that your shit Public Defender got you OR'd or you would still be in jail. I am not a Public Defender but really it sound like you had a guy working his ass off for you and because he could not make the case magically disappear you decide to trash a entire profession.

FluffyMcNutter · 3 months

Clean white bras, t-shirts and underwear. Take as much of it in as they will let you. You won't need all of it, but you can use some of it to barter when you get there.

Get your friends addresses so you can write them. Go ahead and look up online how the jail's phone system works and have a couple friends (and family) prepared to get accounts set up when you go in. Also find out the rules for people to send you books, pictures, and money. Go ahead and start thinking about books you may/will want people to send you so they can get on that ASAP so you aren't stuck with the jail's library for 3 months.

Don't be stupid. Getting yourself thrown in the hole or moved to a locked down pod will make your time go by a lot more slowly.

I know a lot more about this than I would care to because I have a friend who is currently in jail.

nevergreen · 3 months

Sounds like you need to called Bob Loblaw

norris528e · 3 months

Dont take the deal. Get this shit before a jury and let them hand out the sentencing, if they even convict.

Dokturigs · 3 months

Florida is different than Tennessee, and women inmates are a whole different beast than male inmates. Get in jail, don't try to be a badass, just be a normal human being. If you get into a fight, handle it, win or lose, don't let it be a thing you worry about. Don't be a dick to people, just try to be cool to everyone. I just got done with an 8 month jail stay for schedule 1 and 6 possession

Also, I don't know the percentages of Florida jail times, but in Tennessee at the county level you're given 75% of the sentence, which means you can do no more than 75% of the term they give you, and they also give you 8 good days a month. So if it's anything like that you'll do around 2 months.

highguy420 · 3 months

How much did you pay your lawyer? If he is a public defender he is not on your side. He probably makes the same whether you choose a plea bargain or go to trial, or does not get significantly more to go to trial.

I am not a lawyer and most importantly I'm not YOUR lawyer, but if you don't have a lawyer (public defenders are not your lawyer, they are paid by the state and therefore do not have your interests in mind). Get an actual lawyer and ask if you should go to trial.

Plea bargains were invented during alcohol prohibition because the state could not afford to enforce the laws with so many people breaking them. They are an abomination of justice in my opinion and tend to bloat the just-a-system beyond a manageable size and far beyond logical necessity.

If I were in your position where I knew there was no malicious or criminal intent, and the law is obviously flawed, I would be willing to take it to trial. If you are willing to go to jail anyway to see this go away then what do you actually have to lose in trial?

Again, I am not your lawyer. I am not providing you with any kind of advice, but rather sharing my non-lawyer perspective on the situation. Please disregard everything I have said and get a lawyer you have actually paid money for. My suggestion is to spend your last day talking to a lawyer that is not paid by the same people trying to put you in jail, and calling organizations such as the ACLU.

Again, I have NEVER in my entire life EVER heard a story of a public defender SUGGESTING that you take a case to trial. If what you say is true, and there was no malicious intent, then a jury of your peers is necessary to determine if the law is even just or fair, beyond whether you broke the law or not.

papermageling · 3 months

Your lawyer is shit. Seriously, see if you can use someone else. Plea bargaining is not what you should do right now. Talk to a different public defender and ask them for advice. Email them, call them, do whatever. You need to get advice about this. (Also tell him that you were denied your medication when you were in jail for those two days).

While defendants are often pushed to a plea bargain because it's lower risk (and cheaper for the lawyer), they can be very nasty in the long run. If you have on your record that you were guilty of this, you are much less likely to have a good outcome if you have to go to court again. If other lawyers would also recommend a plea bargain, then it might make sense.

Waterwoo · 3 months

Uh.. maybe I'm missing something but wtf...?

There are already laws against possessing and selling stolen merchandise. Why the hell did they make one specifically for pawn shops?

And while it's too late now since you probably told the cops too much, I think the proper way to handle this would have been to go to trial and simply state that it was not your friends item. The friend SOLD you the item, making it yours. They just happened to give you payment terms that didn't require immediate payment. You paid him back within a few days, with cash that you just happened to get by pawning the item.

That's a legitimately normal transaction which is how 95% of retail works, i.e. trade credit.

rinnip · 3 months

Pawning an item that does not belong to you is not a crime if the owner of the item permits it. Is your friend truly the owner, or is he BSing you?

If you're not guilty, plead not guilty. Your attorney cannot make you plead either way. If the item was never reported stolen, I don't even see how they have a case. How did this even come to the attention of the D.A., anyway?

EDIT: You say "My friend did not call the cops or the pawn shop reporting the items stolen". Did anyone else report it stolen? If not, how did the cops become involved?

[deleted] · 3 months

I just got out of jail after 3 months. It wasn't really bad but county jail here is super easy. Since you're a femanon things will be different, but things I wish I had known/done sooner:

volunteer to be a trustee. Even if you just serve trays at mealtime it makes the day go by soooo much faster
buy a radio. I waited over a month and promptly spent 2 solid days listening to music
get family/friends to write you and send you books. The supply there will suck dicks and you can trade good books for soups/sweets or other good books
stay the hell away from black people. Anybody who wants to jump my ass for being racist, spend some time in jail. Darkies are trouble, and that's a fact
keep to yourself at first. Everybody knows what it's like to be new, showing up and being a loudmouth won't make you any friends
don't ever brag or talk about how much money is on your books or how much money you make in the free world

That's about it. The first month will be slow, the last two will zip by... Except for the last week. My last 5 days seemed like an eternity, but they also moved me from the trustee tank and all my friends that i'd been with for 2 months.

LeGeantVert · 3 months

Wow dude that makes no sense 3 months for pawning a stolen item? ( I know you didn't steal it) Geez what kind of lawyer you have? I was caught for selling drugs 3 times and only did like 7 week-ends of jail. So I'd get a new lawyer if I were you and that will buy you sometime too.

IvyLeague99 · 3 months

You're 22 and on Psych Meds? Jesus this country is going to hell. I hope they give you some serious hard time.

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