Welcome to our group! Yes, it is a shock to your whole system when you find out there is no justice in the justice system. You learn so many hard lessons from this ordeal, but something else we learn is we can survive it , we are strong, we can join together and fight to make a difference. This is a place of support and understanding. I am glad you found us.
My son is 20 years federal.

Laurie

what state is your son in?

I'm so sorry that your son is facing such a long sentence. We are still waiting for my guy to be sentenced in federal court - next month - and the plea was for 10 years. I know how you feel about the legal system - especially the US Attorney's office. They have so much more power than the average citizen. I truly believe that once you are indicted on federal charges, it's all over. Either plead out or they will stack the deck. And then, the sentencing guidelines mean that our loved ones turn over huge chunks of their lives to the prison system. I used to believe that we really did have the best legal system in the world. I am no longer living under that delusion.
Melissa

Welcome Aboard johnstxmom! I am so sorry to hear about your son having to do 25 years for a first offense. As Laurie727 said, there is no justice in the justice system. It is like we are living in the dark ages, let's just throw everyone in the dungeon!
You will find much support here and ask questions if you need to. My son is in Federal in Texas for 9 years; although, we are in Indiana. Also, a first time offense.

My son is in Seagoville in TX it is the best place for them to be for SO most of the population there are SO it is a low . Wow oregonmelissa your son is very fortunate to be offered a plea our lawyer told us that Federal dosen't offer pleas which I now know he didn't know what he was talking about... I have some horror stories about other place in our federal system. My son is finally safe where he is and it is only 4 hrs. for us. He has made some good friends there he tells me that there are alot of good people in prison. My son and us experienced the Federal system in Lousiana one of the worst states ever....He was in the Air Force for 11 yrs. as a nueculer warefare machanic never been in trouble in his whole life. His wife left him for another woman and his whole world fell apart and ours as we new it. We have also found out that things happened to him as a child that he never told anyone and the therapist told us that this is usually what happens with men that never talk so how does our country repay him by taking away his whole life I just don't understand he is a good person and has a great sense of humor he tries to make me laugh when we talk I will aways stand by my son always...thanks everyone

welcome to the group and sorry about your son hope we all can help in some way ....as one living in houston tx I know texas has alot of good ole boys and hopefully Gov.Perry will be gone soon(no friend to SO laws)but as long as your son is not in huntsville tx he should be good...Good luck and God blessings on your family...

Hi, I'm new here also and could not believe there were people who understand my exact situation. My son is facing 22 yrs fed, and yep was a plea, had no choice as they knew he did not have the 20,000 plus to defend himself, they had him bouncing back and forth from county jails all across KS, making sure he was cut off from family, only limited,very limited visitation when u spend most of the time trying to locate him. US Marshalls do not tell u where they stash them away in a cage for 23 hrs a day, hardly any mail contact due to only a postcard and be careful what you say. This is a complete devistation to us, I do not think I could ever trust the justice system again after this, they were once who we could run to and now they are the ones I go running,as fast as I can, from. I include each of you in my prayers. Something needs to be done, they run rampant with this and do so cause they can, they even use the media and something I never thought I'd see, the journalist will lie to give them their way. Though I hate for any of you to go thru this I am ever thankful to see I am not alone and each of u know the hopeless feelings this brings. This is my baby they have done this to and I just cannot let myself set back and keep silent about it, I have wanted to shout from end to end what these so called, self proclaimed heros have caused, how underhanded they are and never believe in them. yes they may do a good deed sometimes, they have to, but how many lives have they destroyed. Thank you all for being here. I have not got to discuss this with anyone as I know I do not have to explain why and it sure leaves u a lonely broken person.

Lauriem64, Welcome to the Group! We feel your pain as we have our own pain and can relate. Your story sounds like a nightmare with trying to figure out where your son was taken by the Marshalls. They did the same thing with our 21 year old son. They arrested him on a Friday, he appeared before a judge that day and we assumed he would be housed in the local jail. The next day our attorney tried to find him and could not. We did not know until Monday where he was taken. The US Atty had him sent to the next state to a detention center for his safety as the local jail is very rough and he did not tell our attorney. That was the longest weekend in my life. I find it hard to believe that they can just do whatever they want to do. In retrospect, I was glad that he considered the safety of our son; yet, I don't understand how he could not at least have told our attorney so that we would not be worried.
This is a wonderful group and you will find much support here. Feel free to rant, rave, cry, ask questions or whatever. We are here for you.
Faithflower

Welcome Lauriem64,
My son is serving 20 years federal as well. I went crazy with the heartbreak of it. Then I found this place (thank God!!) You will find so much comfort and support here. Yes, our justice system is as crooked as crooked can be. And you mentioned the so-called Hero's??? My son was a police officer and I was so proud of him (still am, btw) and I honored everyone of those who wore blue.....Now I have seen the other side of that blue line and let me tell you, I do NOT feel that same way. Sad, when you are exposed to the real world, isn't it? You lose your faith in everything you thought you believed. Every value you held close. The "good guys" aren't good anymore, Maybe they never were? I don't know the answers, only got more questions than ever now. I pray someday each of us will be granted wisdom and understanding as to why these attrocities are allowed.
Laurie

Welcome johnstxmom. My 19 year old son was sentenced last month to 10 years in federal. I agree there either is a plea or they will try to hammer you. We tried to fight them, then realized when you fight big brother they have more money than you and they will keep fighting till the money runs out which is what they did. We are all here for you. The scariest part for me was when they took him from county jail. We did not know he was gone, showed up for our scheduled visit and they said he left the day before. Not knowing where the hell he was in the US was scary. He is actually in FMC, Lexington and told me yesterday that county jail was hell compared to where he is now. In county jail, my son saw 15 minutes of day light in 14 months. Totally inhumane. But there is light at the end of the tunnel. You just cant let them defeat you and your spirit.