Hello,
I am 26, live in AZ, have a 6-year old son, and I am a first year grad student at ASU. I am working on my PhD in school psychology.
I got married at 17, and have come a long way since then (I was a highschool dropout). I graduated from ASU's honors college magna cum laude in 2002, and was accepted to the PhD program in school psychology. The relationship with my ex-husband was abusive, and took me a long time to get out of. Last December (2002) I finally broke away from it for good (we had divorced in '99 but were still seeing each other). Last spring, I met this guy named Kory. He treated me like a princess. Also, my grandfather (who raised me passed away, and he supported me through this). About 2 months after I met him, we decided to "get away" for the weekend to San Diego. I was still upset about my grandfather, my old relationship, and my future (since I had taken a year off of graduation and was not sure if I was accepted to grad school yet). While we were there on vacaon, I noticed this man was not all he seemed to be. He used methamphetamine, for one, and seemed kind of shady. SO, we decided to go back to AZ. It was late, and he was driving while I was asleep in the passenger seat (it was my car). I woke up to us getting pulled over (he was speeding). Well, he ended up getting arrested, because he had a suspended license (I later found out for a DUI he had in the past). THe police told me they were arresting him, and that I was free to go. The man I was with told them to give me his wallet for "safekeeping." So, the police officer came over and said "I am going to count the money out to you that he has in his wallet for both of our protection." He opened the wallet, and took the money out, and we both realized it was counterfeit! This made the cop mad, and he said "what do you guys have going on here?" and started to search the car. He found more counterfeit money in the guy's suitcase, and arrested me. ANyone who knows me know that I am not a criminal, and I truly did not know he was doing this. Besides, I don't need the money. It was not like he was operating this big counterfeit currencey operation; he had just copied on a scanner/printer/copier 7 $20 bills. I know this was wrong of him, but the point is, I did not know he had these! To make a long story short, my lawyer advised me to plead guilty to possession of counterfeit currency (since it was technically in my car) and that the judge would see I have a very minor role and I would get probation and be able to get on with my life. Well, I was sentenced in Nov. - and almost fainted when I got sentenced to 366 days in prison. The prosecutor told the judge that since I was much more educated than the other guy (he just has a H.S. diploma), that I was the mastermind behind the scheme, and that a person as smart as me would not hang out with someone involved in that stuff unknowingly and without intent. The funny thing is, everyone who knows me knows how emotionally insecure and naive I was at the time I met this man (Prior to meeting him, the only relationship I knew was with my ex-husband). I really do not feel I should go to prison. I would never jeopardize my future over a couple of fake $20s! (by the way, he got sentenced to 2 years). I was originally supposed to self-surrender on Jan. 5, but got an extension because with the help of a new lawyer, I was going to fight the sentence. Now, I am supposed to self-surrender March 15, but I am hoping to get one more extention until May 15 so I can finish this semester. But - the lawyer does not know if the judge will grant that. She seems very biased against me. He told me she would be more likely to grand the extension if I stop fighting the sentence she gave me and just go and do the ten months (which is what it will amount to with good time). Otherwise, he said, she is likely to say "fine, if you want to fight this still, then fight it in custody" on March 15, and will incarcerate me then. So, since school is the most important thing in the world to me, and I want to finish this semester, I said Ok, I will stop fighting it if I have a chance of being able to finishe this semester. So, I was designated to the camp in Phoenix. I am scared - nobody I know or in my family has ever done time before - and I am a very shy person. Can you give me all the info you can about what goes on in there??? Does anyone know anything about FPC Phoenix?
Jamie

My first lawyer had me and my family so confidant that I was going to get a number of "downward departures" from the judge, and get probation, that I almost fainted when she sentenced me to 366 days in prison. My lawyer told me that if I pled guilty to possession of counterfeit currency (it was in my vehicle, even though I did not know about it), that the judge would be very lenient on me - that I "saved the USA time and money for not taking it to trial," and that "she would know exactly what happened." It just so happened that at sentencing, my family and I was shocked because the prosecutor (who doesn't even know me!!) told the judge that I was the master-mind of the counterfeit currency, and that I was too smart not to know, and basically said that I used my education to commit crime (I wasted 6 years in college just to make 7 fake $20 bills on a scanner?) My lawyer acted like when I went for sentencing it would be a breeze - I would be put on probation, continue school, and 2-3 years be off probation. He did not tell me the perspective of the prosecutor, or that the prosecutor was going to make all these false claims at my sentencing. The judge believed the prosecutor, and did not downward depart - sentenced me strictly to the guidelines - 366 days. Afterwards, my lawyer said, "well, there is nothing more I can do. I am not happy with the sentence, but at this point the only thing you can do is get it over with." I never spoke to that lawyer again after that, and got a new lawyer. I tried to file an "ineffective assistance of counsel" claim, but my new lawyer said that the judge will get mad that I did that and probably not let me finish the school year. Basically - when I go for my present self-surrender date on March 15, that she will not grant one more continuance because I am "wasting judicial resources" by trying to fight the sentence. I really am at my wit's end with this, and am trying to psychologically adjust to the time I will have to do in prison. Another thing that hurt me - is the judge and prosecutor think that I am not taking responsibilty for my actions, since I pled guilty and still say I did not know about it. So, my lawyer said that was another reason she gave me a stricter sentence, because I am sticking to my guns that I did not know this man was doing this in my car. So, she thinks I need to learn a lesson. But - really and truly from the bottom of my heart - I had no idea he was making counterfeit money! I knew he was using methamphetamine (which he tried to hide from me but I found out near the end), but never did he tell me, show me, or anything about counterfeit currency. I don't think he would have wanted me to know - because he knows I would have probably yelled at him or freaked out about it. I am so upset about this happening to me. Right now, I am in grad school, also teach an undergrad stats class. I feel I am in the prime of my life. I finally got rid of my ex-husband, things are looking good, I have a 6-year-old, and now I have to put my life on hold for a year to go to prison. Another thing - my professors and school does not know of my situation, they would be shocked if they knew this was happening to me! I don't know if I should tell them the truth. Even if I tell them I am not guilty, they probably will not believe me because why would the US justice system send me to prison if I was not guilty? Any suggestions on what I should tell my school? I am allowed to take a one year leave of absence, but I am afraid they will ask why, and when they find out the truth, kick me out of the program. Ifeel so terrribly lost right now, I don't know what to do anymore.
Jamie

Hi Jamie,
My fiance received a unfair sentance and she's currently in Perryville. That's the style in Arizona. The prosecuters try to scare you into a settlement and I swear they have nothing but "hanging" judges in that state. If you'd like contact me and I'll give you the name of a feisty lawyer that may go up againist them. You need to fire your current lawyer. He/She is playing the game and you need someone who fight. I know you're almost done with the program but you need to fight the bastards if you can. As you probably know Maricopa County (Joe's world) is one of the worst places in the world. I wish the best of luck and I'm praying for you.

Jamie, my heart just goes out to you. Believe me, there are many, many people in prison in this state who were put away who were not guilty. (That's the main reason why our prisons are so overcrowded in this state - innocent people - and ridiculous mandatory minimum sentences.) As the person in the post above me said, this is a hanging state. They don't care about guilt or innocence, just getting everything resolved as fast as they can with the least amount of effort.

I just don't know what to tell you about telling your school or your professors or anyone else about it. I probably would not just because it really is none of their business - and a lot of people take a year's leave of absence. You don't need to provide an excuse.

This is just terrible that this has happened to you - it is a year of your life you will not get back. But if you do end up going to prison for a year just try to make the best of that time. Since you are educated perhaps you could spend a lot of time helping other inmates learn? Many are high school drop outs (and you can relate to their situation and inspire them.) Believe it or not, the year will go by quickly. My friend spent a year in county before he was even offered a plea, and I have to tell you I look back and think where did that year go! It flew by. Just try to make the time meaningful.

This whole thing is totally unfair and unjust, but it has happened so try to make the best of it. Have faith that there is a reason for everything. When you get out and get into your line of work, the experiences you had will make you even better at your job and more understanding and empathetic of those needing your help. This is just a bump in the road, Jamie. You know who you are and you will get through this.

Love, Zoe

Thanks, Zoe,
Your note was really uplifting. I finally have come to the realization that this is going to happen, and the best thing to do is to somehow try to make the best of it. The experience really would help me to help more people in the future (by being better able to see their perspective). Also, being able to help other inmates (by being a tutor) would be a wonderful opportunity for me, and I am hoping I get the opportunity to do that. Your words really made me feel better!
Thanks,
Jamie

I have a little brother that just self surrendered in February and is at Florence. We love him dearly and he really shouldn't be there. I can relate to the law giving you advice to do the wrong thing. We didn't know anything for about two weeks after he left, then he finally called...whew! I cannot imagine what he goes through but watched as the date approached for him to turn himself in. Good luck to you!

Jamie, I'm glad my words helped a little bit. My boyfriend tutors inmates all the time. In fact right now his current celly is totally illiterate and I just got a letter from him telling me that he made phonics cards for him and is teaching him to read. He was all excited in his letter about what a fast learner he is and how he can already pronunciate and sound out words. He wants me to send him some 5th/6th grade literature books. It was a really inspiring letter. :)

I'm a high school teacher here in the valley, and I can't even BEGIN to tell you how many reading books, dicitionaries, math worksheets, etc. I have sent to prisoners. So many inmates really want to learn but have never been given the chance. I have a feeling this year will not be wasted for you!

Jamie, I wish you the very, very best, but I'm NOT going to wish you good luck - because I don't believe for a minute you are going to need it - you will be just fine. Take Care. Love, Zoe :)