Busted in Illinois

[Buddle]

I recently went through a good part of what you are Skunk. Unfortunately it was in another state. If you are getting bad vibes from your lawyer get another one!! Very important for you to feel confident that he has your back. Do some more research and find out which lawyers have a longstanding relationship with the judges that handle the court you are in cuz unfortunately thats really what it comes down to.A mutual respect between the lawyer and judge.The right attorney will already have a very strong idea of the end result will be for you and which judge will give you the most lenient punishment.
I was facing seven yrs suspended after 3 served and ended up getting 3 yrs probation and got off a year early for good behavior.Like you I had no record.You have a lot going for you..Support from your boss, neighbors, professionals etc.This is very important when it comes to your presentence investigation.Someone from the court will call your family members, boss etc and they will make a recommendation to the judge.The judge doesn't have to take it but since they have no previous dealing with you the chance is excellent that they will.I don't see a recommendation for jail time with your great job history, family support etc.You will also be given the opportunity to address the court right before your sentence is imposed.My lawyer encouraged me to do this so I wrote a letter before court that i planned to read.well as soon as I started reading the remorse from how this whole thing effected me and my family just came pouring out of me and was clearly sincere.
I think I'd take the plea BUT get another opinion for sure!! As far as your wife..it seems she is still able to manipulate you some. Be careful and if theres anything you'd like to ask about my experience shoot me a pm.Got my fingers crossed for you man..

 

[johnnybravo]

http://www.rosen.com/divorce/divorcearticles/electronic-communications-privacy-act/

 

[skunkpunk]

Well, thank you guys so much for the kind words and suggestions. I talked with another attorney in depth about everything that has happened. He could not believe how conniving she is, or how bad she hurt herself by setting me up. He said "she thinks she made you look bad, but in all reality she just made herself look bad." He also told me that it was going to be a rough divorce to say the least, but was confident she will hang herself with her own negative behavior. He also suggested that I move out for the time being before she can do anything else to me or get me in anymore trouble.
As far as my criminal case goes he said I would NOT recommend taking it to trial. The outcome if I lost would not be worth the risk of losing all contact with my kids by being in prison.
So that's where I'm at right now. Kinda stuck between a rock and a hard place, but I think I can come away from this a much wiser and stronger person. This is a very intense situation, I feel for anyone going through this or anything similar. I haven't slept right in months, I trust basically no one, and it has consumed my time and energy. From now on my motto is: FIDITE NEMINI!!!

 

[Puffaluffagus]

Someone needs to take your wife for a long walk on a short pier

 

[budpreacher]

good luck skunkpunk, your wife is a complete bitch! she is obviously very manipulative too, "im sorry i said i would never do this" then sending emails to her friends or the men shes having affairs with telling them you're getting what you deserve! unbelievable... personally i would take her down with me as she might (probably will) try to turn your kids against you

one thing thats coincidental, the cops threatened your wife she would be detained until they got a warrant if they never let her in? thats what cops said to me, and i let them in, stupidly. this happned in scotland, so UK cops just as bent as USA cops

 

[SeaMaiden]

Well I talked with my attorney today, he kinda pissed me off to be honest. I asked him about challenging the consent to search and a few other things. He acted like turning down the plea was a bad idea. I feel like I just payed for a high priced public defender. I am paying him way too much money for him to make me feel like I'm bothering him and like I'm trying to weasel out of this or something. Granted I would like to, but that's what I'm paying him for right???
So now I am going for a consultation with another attorney, I think a second opinion is in order. Maybe I'm just freaking out, but I'm not really very comfortable going down on intent to deliver plea bargain. I'll let you all know what this guy says.

This is why I always recommend folks save their money until discovery. Let the PD do discovery, read it, then go from there. I agree wholeheartedly with your decision to see another attorney. If you decide to go with another attorney, he or she is going to have to help you get the retainer back from the other guy, who's going to insist he did all this work for you. Take it to arbitration. You'll lose some of what you paid him, but should get most of it back (assuming he hasn't had time to really rack up the billable hours).

What happens to kids when they end up with a crazy bitch who obviously has no morals and will no doubtedly tell them tons of lies about their father whom she has no respect for? I would not trust my kids with this woman, and if it was my wife doing this I would most definitely do what I could to keep them away from her.

Well, let's not pay any attention to the fact that she was good enough for him to knock up more than once, shall we?

Are you literally going to argue that it would be better for them to end up in the foster care system? If so, I have to ask, how many kids in foster care have you spent time with?

Do you have close family that could get custody of the children if you both were to go down in all of this?

There you go. The best case scenario... if you can call it that.

 

[skunkpunk]

Well, let's not pay any attention to the fact that she was good enough for him to knock up more than once, shall we?

Are you literally going to argue that it would be better for them to end up in the foster care system? If so, I have to ask, how many kids in foster care have you spent time with?

I know I may seem quiet upset about this whole matter, but she was a very different person up until about 2 yrs ago. We were together for 11 years, and people change. I'm not sure what brought on her self destructive behavior, I will probably never know. I gave her the benefit of the doubt many times for many reasons (one being I am a kind person, who usually gets used). I enabled certain behaviors that I should have put an end to but like i said I am a nice guy. I finish last and try to forgive and forget.

So yeah, I "knocked her up" several times, I also genuinely cared for her. Does that make me some sort of bad person?? I may be bad at making decisions, but I most certainly didn't ask for this.

As far as foster care goes that is out of the question. I would never choose to put them in that system. I have a strong family full of caring people who would be more than happy to care for the kids. Her family, not so much. I know you were quoting someone else but I just wanted to add my 2 cents. Thanks for the input.

 

[Old Soul]

I would never argue for them being put into foster care, it just seemed to me this was a good guy who probably came from a good family and if God forbid him and his wife were put in jail he may have someone in his family who could take and care for the kids properly. Most importantly from some of the information his wife does not seem to be able to make good decisions and is even dragging their children into these situations and I for one would not want them to be subjected to whatever other idiotic things she will most likely do in the future.

skunkpunk-good on you for getting a second opinion, that lawyer seemed to lay things down for you like a straight shooter, hope the best for you and your kids.

 

[Behind_The_Mask]

Dont be a martyr dood take the plea deal...stay a free man...and find a girl who isnt crazy

just be patient and karma + her being crazy will give you the chance you need to paint her as an unfit mother and take your kids back
having access to her computer might help with that...never interrupt an enemy when they are making a mistake

going into the clink wont accomplish shit...just sayin

 

[SeaMaiden]

I have had too much experience with fostered kids, beginning when *I* was a kid. I know that there are good foster homes out there, but IME they are few and far between, most of them are literally in it for the money, fuck the kids, they see them as a pain in the ass (many are, but that's what they signed on for, isn't it?). These children don't deserve that.

I know I may seem quiet upset about this whole matter, but she was a very different person up until about 2 yrs ago. We were together for 11 years, and people change. I'm not sure what brought on her self destructive behavior, I will probably never know. I gave her the benefit of the doubt many times for many reasons (one being I am a kind person, who usually gets used). I enabled certain behaviors that I should have put an end to but like i said I am a nice guy. I finish last and try to forgive and forget.

So yeah, I "knocked her up" several times, I also genuinely cared for her. Does that make me some sort of bad person?? I may be bad at making decisions, but I most certainly didn't ask for this.

As far as foster care goes that is out of the question. I would never choose to put them in that system. I have a strong family full of caring people who would be more than happy to care for the kids. Her family, not so much. I know you were quoting someone else but I just wanted to add my 2 cents. Thanks for the input.

No, it does not make you a bad person. It means that if you found her good enough to have children with, children that you still have, that there was something there, something to her or about her.

See, I've been married three times, divorced twice. I don't spend my time talking shit about my exes. Why? Because it's a reflection on me. Still have kids who are young? Speaking badly of their other parent and family members affects them, because even if you don't say it directly your behavior can reflect your true feelings.

I am very glad to read that you truly cared for her. Even with all she's done to you, it's important to remember that specifically because you have kids together. I don't advocate a damn thing that she's doing, but also don't advocate the "well, s/he did it first!" kind of attitude. Nor can I advocate taking actions that would cost the innocent ones the most in this whole deal.

Maybe, just maybe, she'll come to her senses someday. And after all is said and done, who would be the one to hold their head high? That would be YOU. Hold your head high, and don't let yourself be dragged down to a level where the "you" of you practically doesn't exist.

How'd the consultation with the 2nd attorney go?

 

[LexLuthoReturns]

Dude,

Is this in Ottawa IL or near it?

To all: Ottawa is a heroin infested pit of white trash, and that is a compliment. Everyone in that area just shit talks and backstabs each other. No fucking class at all!

Lx

 

[BrnCow]

People change...couples grow apart....people go nuts....hormones and testosterone and mid life crisis and just wanting to be alone set in sometimes...try to be civil for the kids sake...but when it is over, it is fucking over...and hell nor high water will bring it back...with a few exceptions that can be counted on hands and toes...and expect her to keep reporting you from time to time when she has a notion to do so...best to keep her out of your business and the kids out of stuff she doesn't need to know about because they will be screened every time they go home or talk to you on the phone...and you need to be concerned that things you say to her may cause trouble for the kids after you leave...get a lawyer and get divorced ASAP if she is narcing on you...

 

[redbudduckfoot]

Don't take the deal. I'VE LIVED THIS SHIT MORE THAN ONCE, AND I'm 2/2 with pay lawyers.

When Your lawyer informs the court the you are planning on going to trial, and an actual Trail Date is set, another Plea Bargain will be offered. Once the DA realizes the Prosecutors Office is going to have to start spending real TIME and MONEY on this case, their tune will change. They cannot allow this case to clutter up and clog the machine, it cost them nothing to offer you a plea with a Misdemeanor charge and 2 years probation.

Jury selection takes time, as does preparing a case. Prosecutors are so fucking arrogant regarding these archaic laws that they ofter do no real work on the case, and try to let the "EVIDENCE" speak for itself. They don't do the due diligence regarding the case, because truth is, they are busy as hell in a clogged up system that is failing. Bottom line is; THEY DO NOT HAVE THE TIME TO TAKE THIS TO TRIAL.

70 year old Judges who you would think wanted to throw the book at you can surprise you, twice they have thrown out all evidence in a drug case due to police corruption/malpractice/whatever for me.

A good lawyer can get you off proper. As long as you are putting money into the System, everyone is happy. You do not want a felony on your record, unless you still have the job you had before all this shit happened. Friends of mine with felonies regret everyday taking that first or second deal, a felony is a HUGE red mark on your credit/identity/life.

RBDF

 

[skunkpunk]

How'd the consultation with the 2nd attorney go?

Not well, he too said there is nothing to challenge as far as the consent to search. She opened her mouth voluntarily and they would have got a warrant based on that admission. He also advised me to take the first offender probation. Not happy about it but I gotta be there physically and financially for the kids, otherwise the alternative is them living in a violent, loud, alcohol and pill induced world that is my in-laws house.
I also asked about divorce, he told me that she thinks she has the upper hand, but really she just made herself look bad too. He advised me to move out immediately, I told him that was not an option till after Xmas. The kids had a terrible holiday last year, I have to be strong for them. But I'm on my guard, gotta be on top of my game hardcore from here on out.

 

[Crusader Rabbit]

Best of luck to you man. What a shitty situation.

 

[skunkpunk]

Dude,

Is this in Ottawa IL or near it?

To all: Ottawa is a heroin infested pit of white trash, and that is a compliment. Everyone in that area just shit talks and backstabs each other. No fucking class at all!

Lx

No not Ottawa, but yes its not too far. Lots of places around here are battling heroin. Its terrible, several of my old friends are now junkies. Very sad...
Also yes there is a lot of back stabbing and narcing around here, if not these local cops would n't have any worthwhile bust. They just keep letting the same idiots get bust and roll over and over again.

 

[skunkpunk]

People change...couples grow apart....people go nuts....hormones and testosterone and mid life crisis and just wanting to be alone set in sometimes...try to be civil for the kids sake...but when it is over, it is fucking over...and hell nor high water will bring it back...with a few exceptions that can be counted on hands and toes...and expect her to keep reporting you from time to time when she has a notion to do so...best to keep her out of your business and the kids out of stuff she doesn't need to know about because they will be screened every time they go home or talk to you on the phone...and you need to be concerned that things you say to her may cause trouble for the kids after you leave...get a lawyer and get divorced ASAP if she is narcing on you...

So true, its hard to keep these things in mind when you are reacting out of emotion. But from here on out there is no more emotion, I am dead set on staying on top and playing everything out in a cool calculated manner. I will come out the bigger person, because I truly am.

 

[skunkpunk]

Don't take the deal. I'VE LIVED THIS SHIT MORE THAN ONCE, AND I'm 2/2 with pay lawyers.

When Your lawyer informs the court the you are planning on going to trial, and an actual Trail Date is set, another Plea Bargain will be offered. Once the DA realizes the Prosecutors Office is going to have to start spending real TIME and MONEY on this case, their tune will change. They cannot allow this case to clutter up and clog the machine, it cost them nothing to offer you a plea with a Misdemeanor charge and 2 years probation.

Jury selection takes time, as does preparing a case. Prosecutors are so fucking arrogant regarding these archaic laws that they ofter do no real work on the case, and try to let the "EVIDENCE" speak for itself. They don't do the due diligence regarding the case, because truth is, they are busy as hell in a clogged up system that is failing. Bottom line is; THEY DO NOT HAVE THE TIME TO TAKE THIS TO TRIAL.

70 year old Judges who you would think wanted to throw the book at you can surprise you, twice they have thrown out all evidence in a drug case due to police corruption/malpractice/whatever for me.

A good lawyer can get you off proper. As long as you are putting money into the System, everyone is happy. You do not want a felony on your record, unless you still have the job you had before all this shit happened. Friends of mine with felonies regret everyday taking that first or second deal, a felony is a HUGE red mark on your credit/identity/life.

RBDF

Luckily I did get to keep my job, And they are being very supportive. They think this is a bunch of bullshit. They said they would have bailed me out of jail if they had known I was locked up.
I plan on continuing negotiations with the prosecutor, but all lawyer I have talked to have given me the same answer, "I would not recommend taking this to trial."
They are currently offering me first offender probation: 2 years probation, 30 hours comm. service, a couple grand in fines and fees. If I complete all these things and serve 50% of the probation I can ask for early termination. Granted I do everything well and don't violate. Case gets dismissed, then I can expunge it 5 years after the dismissal.
It really seems like the best shot i have of keeping things somewhat normal for me and my kids.
I still have my attorney trying to negotiate the charges down farther. At this point they want me to plead guilty to possession of 10-20g with intent to deliver-a class 4 felony. Currently I am being charged with a class 3 (which is worse). I told my attorney that I was very uncomfortable with the intent to deliver, because there was no intent to deliver.
My attorney is on vacation for a few weeks so i'll be in the blind for a while, but i will keep everyone updated.

 

[skunkpunk]

Best of luck to you man. What a shitty situation.

thank you Rabbit!

 

[Crusader Rabbit]

Shows how vulnerable every one of us really is.