Well I have to admit that I didn't sleep well last night. At
around 8, easy child/difficult child called me and told me that the P.D. had spent
over an hour visiting with inmates and never spoke to him. He
was upset. Two of the other guys told Mr. X "easy child/difficult child is eager to
talk with you" and the response was "I am only seeing the people
on my list tonight." Since three notes had been sent from the
jail to the PD asking for a conference and since I had called in
a request, easy child/difficult child was more than a little upset.
I said the appropriate things. I actually wanted to scream
WTH!!!!!!!! LOL But, I told him to remember the Serenity Prayer,
reminded him that we had no way of "knowing" what the PD was or
was not doing, blah blah blah. Then I reminded him that even if
he was continued again that it really didn't matter as the longer
he was there the more time served credit he would have etc.
Geez........I hate all this!
At 9 or so the phone rang again. It was the P.D. calling to
talk with me. Yes, I was shocked but pleased that he took the
time to reach out. Bottom line does not sound good. He tells
me that he has shown the existing medical work to the attorney
from the SAO "and he did read it while I stood there". The guy
says 24 months in prison. He has explained the post surgical
learning curve time table. The guys says 24 months in prison.
He has pointed out that easy child/difficult child has committed no new crimes AND
has cognitive issues. The guy says 24 months in prison. He has
pointed out specific cases of young men who have committed crimes
against people and been violated who are NOW OFFERED NINE MONTHS
local time. The guy says 24 months in prison.
The PD is going to give one more try this morning BUT does not
feel any reason to be optimistic AT ALL. He says each one of
the attorneys in the SAO gets to make decisions on "their" cases
and the young dude who has easy child/difficult child believes that "when you violate
probation you are snubbing your nose at the law and need to be
punished with prison time".
Then......I asked him "is the jail newsline correct? are you
leaving the community soon?" Answer: Yes. Tomorrow is my last
court day. My cases will be taken over by others at the PD
office. I wanted to call you and let you know that I HAVE tried
for your son. I have gotten permission for the State to have
him evaluated at State costs by an expert in XY a City about
1.5 hours from here. I truly don't think your son can or should
be expected to follow probation rules with his short term memory
loss. If this physician agrees with Kyle's Psychiatrist then I
hope the SAO will be reasonable.
I asked him if he was going to be with the PD office in Z county
(he's been borrowed by this county as they were short handed)
and the man said "Mrs. X I am leaving behind PD work. It is not
possible to overcome the arrogance of the local Judges and the
new young SAO attorneys who truly believe they have the right to
make life choices for everyone." I replied "I thought it would
be helpful to get a copy of the transcript where the Judge told
the attorneys that he did NOT want my son to go to prison and
asked them to provide s.a. program options. Wouldn't the Judge
be angry that his dictate wasn't followed?" The PD replied in a
sad tone "Mrs. X that man doesn't care enough to be angry. He
wants glory and headlines. He will say one thing on Tuesday and
reverse it on Wednesday and deny he ever said it."
So, my friends, although Court is going on now I am saddened to
hear my opinions of the local system verified by a professional
who is actually leaving the community. I am angry that someone
has a son who is offered nine months for committing a crime and
my son, with a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), is seen as a future prison statistic.
Somehow I will find a way to get money to hire the "gun" of defense attorneys. I don't mean to whine but I do think it is a
blankin' shame. Keep praying when you have time. DDD
