You can't win with this kind of 'crime'. My son accidentally downloaded 3 child porn videos (cp) along with 2330 music videos. He didn't want them and deleted them. He had to take a plea. He got 30 months in Federal in Floriduh.
It's not about not spending the money on a lawyer.. you can't really fight this. You can get a lesser sentence or maybe a little less when you're released, but most times you'll be spending time in prison. Everyone registers as a sex offender when they get out.

He did what he had to do. Going to trial is just digging a deeper grave. Welcome to the group.

Nak

so sorry for your friend. from what i have been reading flordia is a nasty state to be in for someone convicted for a sex crime!!!

i hope for the best possible outcome for your friend.

Thanks. I'm still waiting for letters from him, haven't spoken to him since he left in early July.

Doing a search for this name and having him show up listed as sexual offender gutted me.

This year has been a nightmare, one of my friends killed himself in January.

Welcome - we have members on this board that work in depth with the kinds of cases your friend was caught up in - they are not conducted properly etc.

Sorry you had to find us this way ...

Sorry you are going through this. It is never easy when a loved one is going through this. My sister-in-law committed suicide earlier this year - it can take a lot out of you that is for sure.

My friend contacted me via his fiancee: He will neither write to me nor be my emotional support as he was before this all started. He and his fiancee want to focus on his case and their relationship and want no further communication with me.

He had previously promised he'd always be my best friend, love me and support me as best he could, no matter what.

I'm broken.

Oh I am SO sorry to hear this - sounds like there is more to it than you know

i have to agree with Advocate, there's more going on here. it might only be jealousy on the part of the fiance? but then again, all of their energies and emotions could very well be focused and tied up into the problems that they themselves are going thru.

I don't know what to think or do or anything. He was my solace for a year and a half.

I feel for you. His fiancee seems to be cutting off everyone from the past, maybe from embarrassment. I realize you are hurting because he has cut off all contact with you. The fiancee probably is going through a lot herself. My apologies in advance if this comes across as a cliche', but what happened to your best friend affects a large amount of people. Is it "fair"? No, but there are consequences. I guess in some ways, everyone loses.

Please keep coming back. We will not judge you. This group is here to help you. Maybe four years from now things will be different. It is how you get through the four years (or more) that is important.

I will keep coming back. Thank you.

I do know that his case i still ongoing. A lot has gone done that his fiancee wouldn't tell me, she insisted I didn't need to know since I couldn't do anything about. But not knowing is slowly killing me.

I feel so helpless and alone.

It's embarrassing. To him. To her. That a stupid decision led to being accused of a crime you didn't committ.

I hate talking about it and mine occurred 18 years ago!!

So I'd prefer not to be around people who keep bringing it up. Or people who want to discuss it over and over. Or even people who know.

Maybe that's the reason for avoidance for now? Hopefully the rawness will scab over and they both will be thankful for real friends. Because you are being one by seeking out support vs. shunning him.

Give them time to process. Reach out in a non-threatening way (don't bring up the crime or events). Let them bring it up if they want to talk about it.

You are a great great person for wanting to help them! So many people lose their friends as they go through this. Just stay strong for them but don't force them.

(Ironic I'm on this board - but the anonymity of it helps. Plus I'm here to better my life even if talking about it makes me uncomfortable )