Jen is facing legal charges in Florida for something she didn't do. I believe she is a victim of people who set her up--people who were supposed to be there to advise her with regard to her role as a trustee for her grandparents but ended up giving her questionable advice (verbally of course) and when she acted on that advice, made certain she was charged with several crimes. And because we are talking about Florida, Jen could be facing many years in prison. For something she did not do. I believe these people had a motive, the opportunity, and the knowledge of the system--the means--to do what they did. And all the while Jen never suspected a thing until the police were at her door. More on all that in subsequent correspondence.
One of the most disturbing things I've learned since this happened is how our justice system really works. Basically, if you have money and some influence, it works pretty darn well.
But if you have neither, well, let's just say any one of us could end up in a situation similar to Jen's.
You see, when you are charged with a crime, whether you use a court appointed attorney or a private attorney, you pay a flat fee and the attorney takes your case. Because the never know which cases will turn into a court case or when, these attorneys tend to take as many cases as they are offered. And if your case happens to come up when a whole lot of others' come up, well...they do the best they can.
You see, no one is entitled to the "best". You're just entitled to "competent". And I would venture a guess that there's a whole lot of barely competent and less than competent out there taking people's money.
I did some research and found a site for families dealing with these lawyers.. It was an eye-opener. I'll send you a link if you like.
Because she is dealing with a court in a small town where everyone knows everyone else (meaning the guardian knew the lawyer, the judge, the prosecutor, etc.), Jen worked hard to find a lawyer who had experience with this particular court. He also believes in Jen, in fact he called the prosecutor personally, incredulous that the charges were even filed. He has promised Jen his firm will fight for her.
Her previous attorney wanted her to sign a plea deal that would have left her open to prosecution even after she signed! Jen refused after reading the document, much to the annoyance of the lawyer, whom she has replaced. Clearly that lawyer was one who collected retainers.
The prosecutor in Jen's case has been overzealous, malicious and mean spirited. And that's not just my opinion. I'll be telling you more about that.
Jen's grandparents had chosen Jen to be their health proxy, the trustee of their estate and gave her Power of Attorney in the event one or both of them were unable to care for themselves. They chose Jen over their own children for one reason: Because Jen is responsible and caring. Unfortunately, Jen wasn't very sophisticated in these matters which I believe was quite obvious to the attorney for the estate, and I have come to believe he took advantage of that fact.
Jen gave up her inheritance to show she was not interested in her grandparents' money; there was no harm to her grandparents and because of work and repairs Jen had her husband do on her grandparents' home, the estate even GAINED value under Jen's management. She intended that so there would be enough money available not only for her grandparents (whom she had placed in a top assisted living facility), but for their disabled son, Jen's Uncle Charlie, who lived next door, and for whom Jen cared after her grandparents no longer lived in their home. Charlie lived next door, and Jen had moved into her grandparents' house to be close to him. But even with all that, the prosecutor has charged Jen with the maximum charges available and had Jen arrested at her home and handcuffed in front of her 4 year old son and put in jail at a bond higher than what someone charged with murder was given on the same day.
I know from being around Probation advocating for kids who were getting into trouble at school that the system really doesn't always work the way it should. Careers and reputations are made on the numbers--of prosecutions, on the number of kids on probation placed in juvenile facilities,, on the numbers of convictions... It's not really about a pursuit of truth. It's more a pursuit of a career.
Sad, but true. I've seen it. I have specific examples.
I was in Florida in March and saw Jen. I was so concerned by her state of mind that I called her attorney and told him she could not possibly withstand a trial. She was so anxious she was having trouble speaking. I wrote the her psychologist and doctor, and helped Jen find a place to get treated. She has been diagnosed with depression anxiety and PTSD and she is following up with treatment on an outpatient basis.. She is doing better, but she is terrified. However, she finally feels she has an attorney who is competent and willing to fight of her.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact me.
Thanks for taking the time to read this.
-Marilyn
Please visit Funded Justice or click here for more information.
No comments:
Post a Comment