This and That
by adustyframe ~ August 13th, 2008Did I just do this the other day? Oh well.
1. Lee’s job is going well. He’s got tons of burns from welding though. He’s keeping up with everything and the overtime too. He’s not sure when he will get switched to 2nd shift, but he’s not looking forward to it.
2. James and I are going to an amusement park with friends today. He’s been looking forward to it for weeks. It’s one of our last summer “hurrahs”.
3. We are trying to decide whether or not to take this probation rule before the original sentencing Judge. We are considering doing it on our own. I’m not sure about that! We think we have nothing to lose, because as it is this stinks. The rule can’t get worse even if we lose. But I think that Lee can only appeal to the Judge once per year. So if the Judge says no, he has to wait an entire year before we can appeal again.
And dumb question, but two of you mentioned an advocate for James. Do you know how I find out about that?
4. I’m working on getting to bed on time. We start school next week, and I have to quit staying up late!
That’s about all around here for now!
Have a great day!
August 13th, 2008 at 7:31 am
Is there a time limit on this policy about not seeing James? Is it supposed to last all of his halfway house time, or does it gradually get relaxed as they see that he is following the rules, etc.? It sounds like your husband is not a person would who hurt his son by going in and out of his life, back and forth to jail, but I’m guessing that that is what the rule is meant for in the first place. I’m sorry this is tough.
Ellen, that’s a point I never thought of either;)! No there is no time limit. We have asked several times and the answer is always “I don’t know.”
August 13th, 2008 at 8:49 am
The family court should be have guidelines on getting one appointed. I don’t know if it would work with your situation, but you’ve tried so many other things a phone call might get you an answer. Since I don’t know what Lee did I can’t give you more of an idea than that. In “real life” I’m a law librarian, but I’ve never dealt with family or criminal matters at all–just routine corporate, banking and labor or employment matters.
I think that the kink in all this is we’re not in family court.
August 13th, 2008 at 1:02 pm
CASA satands for Court Appointed Special Advocate and is what I refered to. I think if you call the child welfare department in your county they should be able to fill you in. In my area CASA’s are all volunteer, but trained by the court and always act on behalf of the child not either parent.They report to the judge on behalf of the child.
I don’t know if this is any help but I have a friend who rec’d totally conflicting info from the courts and probation and it turned out that when the info was input on their case it was for another offender…..a BIG computer mistake that seriously affected their live. I continue to pray for you all Lizzie.
Do you have a VORP program where you live (Victem Offender Reconciliation Program)?
These folks are very very knowledgeable about the courts/probabtion and more then willing to share their info and advocate for anyone (like you and Lee) who are serious about the positive changes in their lives…..usually these people are Christians. Hope some of this helps…God Bless, Pam
Thank you for this information, Pam.
August 13th, 2008 at 2:52 pm
Oh, you sound like my husband! Don’t start going to bed early now! Live it up right up until school starts! (You can tell which parent my kids back in this discussion.)
Live it up;) lol.
August 14th, 2008 at 5:37 am
Many prosecutor’s offices have a victim/witness advocate, and that person might be a good source of information. In my area, CASA workers are only assigned in dependency-neglect cases, so wouldn’t be available for James. There are also ad litems (children’s advocate attorneys) appointed in custody cases, and those attorneys are qualified to recommend child’s best interest, but I don’t think that there’s usually a mechanism in place to insert them into a criminal case. But you never know until you ask!
Thank you for this information. I think that perhaps we’re one of the “fall through the cracks” cases. We don’t fit in any of the courts that have help for these situations.
August 14th, 2008 at 4:11 pm
It seems to me that a CASA would be inviting child welfare into your life–that is something you would want to avoid.
Maybe…go before the judge now, so that you can get the year’s wait on it’s way?
How long will Lee be in the halfway house?
Yes! You have echoed my thoughts. I don’t want any more government in our lives than is already here.
How long will he be there? That’s one of our “I don’t knows”.