Jackie,

How are things going for your son?

I agree that both juveniles and young men who are a few years over the legal age should not have to suffer for the rest of their lives. My son's attorney is not concerned about now, but about what the charge of cp will do to my son later. I am so glad that I hired him instead of depending on a young PD who probably does not know the law. I want my son to have a chance to have a normal life in the future, as young men who make very bad choices when they are young often grow up to be happy, responsible and successful men.

J

he is doing better than i had expected...jeers to me for not giving him more credit..he is just so young and inexperienced. has your son been sentenced yet? i am glad to hear you are happy with your sons attorney, i hope he pulls something out of his hat and takes care of your boy. if i have any advice to mothers with sons facing time is give him confidence....let him know that he can get through this, and change their lives (thinking) around. that you will always be there for them and encourage them to find the truth about who they are, who they want to be. it doesnt hurt to let them know about all of us out here fighting for them as well...i copy some of the disscussions on these boards and send them to him. i think it also helped that his friends (all two of them, but thats all it takes) has been there for him as well. we will get them out, and then fight some more...for their future. if anyone wants me to send a birthday card to theirs just message me, i have a few saved up and will be happy to send them one.

Jackie,

I am glad to hear that your son is doing well. Kids can be very tough. And you are being very supportive.

My son knows that I love and have loved and supported him throughout. I have told him that I believe in him and I think hiring another attorney sent a strong message. But after eight years of this(addiction, overdoses, hospitalizations, binges, rehab, being abusive towards me and now cp), I think it might be time for a real talk. Like, "you are going to pay me back and while you are in here, you need to think about what path you will take and what choices you will make when you are released. You will get therapy, you will go to AA and you will get a job or go to school and you will not self-medicate anymore". (These things will be court-ordered). Because this little prison treats the men so well, I am less concerned about him spending a little time there (it might actually be good for him), and more concerned about the rest of his life. I am now realizing that if he is truly an addict, that he can't help it. But he can choose not to go down that path where the addictions lie and that's the choice he's gong to have to make. People do it all the time. I went to AA with him one time years ago and there was a man there who still attended after 25 years of being sober. I think his attorney (35 years of experience under his belt and a specialization in this area of the law) feels the same way. He jumped right in there and starting working...He said, "It's not going to matter whether he gets out on probation or does time. I want to keep him from being labled a sex offender the rest of his life".

The truth is that I have a mood disorder myself and with the exception of my wild:-) early college days, have never self-medicated. I have always sought out therapy and also take medication. I have set a wonderful example for my son in this area, but perhaps it's because he has such a different personality than I do.

Thanks for letting me vent tonight, Jackie and please don't think too harshly of me!

Again, I wish your son well.

J