I'm at my first court appearance right now

[loveandlight05]

I'm here early. I am so ******* nervous, and my attorney said the DA will most likely pursue like every charge possible today. I took the day off work just in case I am a mess. I will update here when I am done.

[addlover]

Sorry hit send too soon
But , I was saying I hate to keep " judging" your lawyer but I just think he should know more/do more
I don't want you to worry anymore than you already are. But I think you need to push him for clarification on your case. OK , take care of you and your babies. And pm me if you want details on my story

[addlover]

Did your lawyer tell you approximately how many times you would have to appear in court?  You said you thought you would only have to go to court once and there wouldn't be any more surprises. I know you probably got that from reading all the replies,  but your lawyer should know how often you need to appear. Most of the discussions between my lawyer and DA were done before I even appeared in court. My lawyer had been talking to the DA , from the start. Once I was is front of the judge, he said I understand an agreement has been put forth. And he told me the stipulations. And asked if I'm in agreement and if I understand I said yes and he wished me luck
I hate to keep "judgi

[addlover]

I got caught stealing from my job. Very strong, injectable narcotics.caught on camera,  Was arrested at work and I told the cops everything. Left nothing out. Once I got a lawyer,  she couldn't believe I talked . But at no time did anyone mention jail time. And I was charged with grand theft and some drug charge. Went to court one time and da agreed to possession and would have a deferred judgment if I completed rehab and community service. I did both and my record was expunged. This was 10 years ago. I don't know what it was, but I never feared jail time. No one ever mentioned it. And I was facing very serious charges. I have faith in your lawyer and faith in your conviction to be clean , take care of you and know I'm thinking about you

[loveandlight05]

I never gave one single pill away. Never.

[motye51]

After reading all of these posts....damn!!!!  I can see why your freaking out and I don't blame you. HOWEVER...if this is the first time you've ever been in trouble, I really think the DA is being over zealous and trying to scare the **** out of you....is it working????  Here in LA, I have many people in my meetings that are court ordered; some with ankle monitoring braclets, some with 3,4, or 5 years probation, most with felonies!  I really don't see how they can get you for distribution, but, their slick!  I truly and honestly think their dragging it out so that you can squirm....I think that's part of the game.  Most people stay clean while squirming, you know what I mean. I really think they're going to look at your situation and realize that addiction DID play the major role in this!  Now, unless you were "loaning" any of the ambien to your teacher friends, then maybe you have a problem. But if you know that you didn't, then I wouldn't worry about distribution.....they should put you in mandated drug court. That's what they do with most people here in Louisiana.

[loveandlight05]

It was mainly the cough syrup Tussionex.

[loveandlight05]

Yes. Both Ambien and Hydro.

[jugglin]

In one of her threads she stated Ambien and hydrocodone. Lots of folks here with lots of support and knowledge. One more reason MH is such a wonderful site!

[Merri123]

I still have to say -  honestly it was AMBIEN.  Now the only thing I can think of is someone that is clueless would say No way someone can take 10 Ambien a night. I think of it and wonder how you didn't OD. My gosh that is alot.

But.... I have no idea either. I could tske ones and be out and wake up totally groggy either at 3 am or when the alarm went off.

So DA probably thinks no way did she take all that herself if you got them from 2-3 different Drs.  

But stil. ambien only. You didn't do that with the hydros that I remember.

Yes I would be a basket case too. But one thing I have found out is that Weaver is VERY knowledgable and generally explains if he knows or has been there. So I say he is most likely correct.

Stop doubting yourself. There have been many who have been there and done worse. You ARE NOT a bad person. You DO NOT deserve to sit in jail.

[VICourageous]

I feel for you. I just wanted to chime in and tell you that I know a few people who did sell meds and or also got caught high one them more then one time. All they got was put on supervised probation and they also where ordered to do the meetings plus some counseling.
I just went to the DR (new one) yesterday for other reasons and I was shocked by his bed side manner about Addiction. FDA came down again at this clinic and they are taking lots of people off the Meds. I have been studying this Addiction in a more Scientific way for over a couple of years now. It will not save you but the more you can learn what goes on in the Brain then maybe they will listen too. Addiction is NOT our FAULT..It is progressive disease..This DR made me so so mad by telling me that since my Mom & Dad drank on the weekends for fun that I have the D2-(Dopamine) addiction cell. I have TONS of paper work regarding this and he was a bit off base here. I was so pisssed that he had no clue what he was saying and I could tell that they are now starting to do there homework. He would have to test ALL of us to know..I know I am a Addict, but do not tell me why or what reason I used when I was young!!...SO people just take this Addiction word and make it out to be such a Monster. Well it is but they need to be more educated about Addiction. I also was told by a few cops I was talking with that told me they put Addicts in a Rehab not Jail..Ya, Right!!
I do wish you the best, but I too do not think you will go to jail. You might be put on probation but that is it. The jails are way to over crowded and they know that the world has lots of Addicts that need help and not be punished.
Hold on Tight to your Faith.
Sending some Prayers your way!!!

[loveandlight05]

Weaver, I know that you know how all of this works. I do know that worrying is useless, but the second I have down time, I go into stress mode. But I'll take weaver's suggestion and grade some essays today. I've got nothing else to do but worry. I know they'd make more money off me on probation, but I wonder if a win for this DA means conviction or conviction and jail time. Are they even worried about keeping people out of jail, or are they worried about meeting a quota with how many people they put in? My fiance would take care of our kids, but he'd be on heavy government assistance, and he'd lose our home.

[Chels44]

Oh and as a reference: he once threatened to sue my lawyer. For what, Im still not sure. My lawyer thought this was hysterical.

[weaver71]

I am 7 generations from Texas, I never said it would be over in a day, I said you won't go to prison and I highly doubt jail. The war on drugs is not about using evidence base therapy and actually helping people, it's a business. I am imagining this will cost you lots of money in fines and fees, they lose money, if you go to jail. Your kids are an advantage, they gonna feed and house them too? They don't want you to end up on welfare and kids being shipped about. You have a job and are in recovery, you don't have to relax, but I would put more energy into thinking about how to cope, not what might happen.

[Chels44]

I think you have every right to be worried. And I don't mean that rudely at all. I just waned you to know (and i believe others to) you're not alone. Our situations may not be the same but the stress and heartache are.
Sending the best of wishes and prayers,
Chels

[loveandlight05]

I don't understand why, on my last thread, everyone thought this was going to be over after my first court appearance and that there would be no more surprises. Being indicted means jack down here. I have months to go and no idea about what my charges will be. I know everyone thinks I should stop worrying, but unless you've been in my shoes with twin one year olds, you can't say you wouldn't be eaten up inside about this, too. It really is almost impossible for me not to worry no matter how logical it may seem to not.

[Chels44]

Oh those lovely DA's...and they go on about how lawyers are bad...I have never met a DA I liked. You have to remember in an essence their job is to be a d!ck. And not do they usually fit the bill. Some of the cruelest people I've ever come across. I own a business regarding comsumer explosives and Like clock work every year or two, that jerk comes at us. Lucky for me my lawyer is about 10 times smarter and loves to mess with him.
He's tried to shut down a temporary location of ours the town board approved, tried to take our permit and give it to another company...the list goes on and on. Half of the crap he tries to pull isn't even legal.
Worst part? He sounds like Fazzy Bear from the Muppets. Try taking that seriously in a court room - you cant.
Bc of theses people I have to keep my lawyer on a monthly retainer. I am so sorry this is happening to you but don't be surprised that she said something sh!tty. That's what they do. They really aren't nice or even civil people.

[loveandlight05]

I want to think logically Weaver, but I feel like this woman is going to say I was selling Ambien or something when that couldn't be further from the truth. I was taking roughly ten at a time each night. I was out of an entire script in 3 days. Hydro I went a tiny bit slower on.

[loveandlight05]

I live in Texas, and they loooove to kill people (death penalty). I went to high school with this guy who raped a 4 year old boy when he was a minor. He couldn't go to school with us for a while, but no juvie time. Then at 18, he was convicted of statutory rape and still offered probation. So maybe I have a shot. I just don't see how being addicted to drugs should ever mean jail time if you agree to rehab. Most of the time, pill addicts aren't committing violent acts of crime. We just hurt ourselves and those who love us emotionally.

[Ndetox]

Yes it is crazy. My (then) best friend got pulled over a couple of months ago. She had a pipe and a couple of Roxies on her. She had to pay fines and has probation. They do not play here. I live in one of those counties that are very hard on anything to do with pills. That is a lot of the reason I think your going to be ok! --Jess

[weaver71]

Think logically. If every pill was charged as a felony in this country, with it costing over $100,000 a year to house an inmate and illicit pills are a major drug problem, they'd have to cut the defense budget to build more prisons. Seriously, the math doesn't line up. She is just doing her job, representing the extreme, unrealistic as it may be. Focus on you and your faith in your new life, all the other stuff seems to work it self out if you do that.

[loveandlight05]

LuLu, are you there? I hope to hear from you.

[loveandlight05]

Every pill is a felony? That's nuts! You made me feel a little better, though. That seems really harsh. I thought it would matter that the schedule of the substances I had was very low compared to say cocaine or heroin. Maybe that doesn't matter though. But I have to say, hearing stories where people were spared jail time helps the most.

[loveandlight05]

Weaver, I've been very diligent with documenting all of my efforts regarding recovery. I'm starting more counseling beginning January 7th. My addiction psychiatrist has told me he will be a character witness. I am taking this all very seriously, but hearing the DA say that about me, you would have thought I murdered someone. Is she trying to say I sold them? If so, she is dead wrong. I would never have given up my drugs. Never.

[Ndetox]

Hang in there girl! I know it is stressful but look how far you have come! I know many friends of mine that have been busted with a lot of pills(down here each pill counts as a felony) and none of them did any time. Fines and probation was all that came of it. I don't say that lightly, fines and probation are not fun. I really think your going to be ok. --Jess