JM: Tell us about the pre-sentencing process: Viktor: I pretty much knew I was going to jail. I went
to
court on a probation violation, and they wouldn't
reinstate my probation, so I was sent that day to
serve 3 months. Veronica: I remained in jail while they did this I filled
out a packet of papers answered a lot of
questions about personnel criminal history and
mental history. they gather all this information
and decide what box you fall into and you get
sentenced from that so everything ties together
that how. Paula: Pre sentencing really drags out. You do your
paperwork for the probation if that is what was
offered to you or you just wait for them to take
you to prison. Your first court date is right
away then the next one is like a month away then
the last court date is like 8 weeks away.
JM: Did you have police stop by your house for questioning? If not please give us details on how you came to be arrested. Viktor: no Veronica: I was arrested my charge was possession of stolen
merchandise. They stop by my house. They found
some stolen merchandise I had in my garage. First
they said I stole it but I didn't but I wouldn't
tell them who gave it to me so that's when they
charged me with theft. Paula: Yes the police came to my house looking for me I
was there but I told my family to tell them I
wasn't there. They said they had a warrant for my
arrest and needed to find me. I didn't want to
go to jail so I hid from them.
JM: What was court like? Please give as many details as you recall. Viktor: It went fast. The PO recommended jail, I gave a
couple reasons against that, and the judge
sentenced me. Veronica: I had been arrested. I went to court in black and
white stripped clothes it was humiliating to say
the least. I was giving a public defender and
giving another court date. that is about a month
or so away so if you couldn't bond out you sat in
there till then Paula: Well first off if you can't bond out then your in
the court room in the blue and white striped
clothes they give you. You feel so degraded and
like you are a nothing. They treat you like that
to. But you sit there until the judge calls your
name then more than likely they postpone it for
another court date.
JM: What were your original charges? What did you end up being convicted of? Veronica: Theft was the original charge a felony. I was
convicted of possession of stolen property. a
felony Paula: possession of stolen property. They dropped it to
deperation of property with out the intent of
stealing it.