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Abi

Hello. I’ve never been in legal trouble before and I’m in desperate need of help. My younger sister who is 25 has been in and out of prison and county jail since she was a teenager and has suffered with serious mental health problems all her life. When she is on her meds and well she is such a beautiful, kind, and loving girl. When she was younger most of her sentences were quite short, but she recently served a two-year sentence for a violent crime she committed. After she was released she came to my house begging me to hide her because she had broken her parole and was desperate not to go back to jail.

Against every instinct I let her stay with me. I just felt that I couldn’t betray my little sister like that. I know it was stupid and I’m very ashamed of my actions, but it is sad just how much she has been through in her life and I wanted to protect her. It was a stupid, stupid mistake. I just thought I would be able to help get her back on her feet, and then everything would be okay, but somehow the police found out and we were both arrested.

My sister is now back in county jail waiting to be sentenced again and I’ve been charged with aiding and abetting. What are the chances I’ll have to go to prison or jail? I’m 31, female, and a single mother of an 11 year old girl. I have a good job, and I have been an active member of our community. I don’t want to lose everything I’ve worked so hard for. Please be honest with me.

 
two6trill

I wouldn't go the public defender route, in my experience, they are usually working for the state, not for you. Get a paid attorney, you can go talk to one with a "free consultation". I think you will be fine, honestly.

 
Abi

Oh no! I was deliberately tying not to post too much info about my case, and like you say I didn’t want to give any more information away on a public forum apart from the basics of the situation. I don’t have a lot of money, but I am going to try and take your advice about hiring an attorney if you think it is worth it, although I may have to borrow it. I have so many important decisions to make.

 
Amantha

Thank you for replying! I am currently trying to arrange a public defender or an attorney, I know they can provide me with more guidance and info, but at the moment I am trying to educate myself about my case, so I know what is going on and can also start to plan for the worst case scenario and be prepared for the reality of what prison sentence will mean. I want to be sure that I have the best chance of getting probation, or a very short time behind bars. If anyone does have any more information for me I’d be very grateful to know.

The best answers are going to come from a qualified attorney. I would refrain from posting anything else about this on the internet. While you havent posted identifying information it is not unusual for law enforcement to search the internet for information. My only suggestion would be that if you can afford to hire an attorney I would do so. Public defenders dont have the incentive to get you the best deal. So even if you have to borrow the money, a paid attorney is going to to be better than going with a public defender. Good luck!

 
Abi

Thank you for replying! I am currently trying to arrange a public defender or an attorney, I know they can provide me with more guidance and info, but at the moment I am trying to educate myself about my case, so I know what is going on and can also start to plan for the worst case scenario and be prepared for the reality of what prison sentence will mean. I want to be sure that I have the best chance of getting probation, or a very short time behind bars. If anyone does have any more information for me I’d be very grateful to know.

 
natalieandjames

You need to speak to a lawyer ASAP. If this is your first offense you might just get Probation. But a Criminal Offense Attorney is your best bet to answer your question.