Timothy
Valparaiso,#2Consumer Comment
Thu, March 17, 2005
Yasmin, the bottom line is that your son needs legal representation. Nobody here can give you any advice that will be of any help, other than to help you find an attorney for your son. If there is true financial hardship, the court must appoint a lawyer free of charge. Unfortunately, you (or rather, your son if he is an adult) will probably have to show a complete lack of resources to qualify for a free attorney. The state would sooner see a defendant sell his home than use the limited funds of the public defender program. At any rate, I would begin by looking around for legal assistance outfits in your area. Search for "legal aid" or "legal assistance" in your location wither on-line or in the phone book. They may not be able to provide you with free assistance, but they may be able to refer you to an attorney who can work with you on terms suited to your finances. If your son does not yet have an attorney, he would be well advised to cease all communications with police and prosecutors. Speaking with them at this point could only hurt his case, and they will take full advantage of the fact that he doesn't have an attorney to keep him from incriminating himself. It's not very often that a prosecutor will so much as try to bring a case on blatantly insufficient evidence. I hate to say it, but, statistically speaking, there is a better chance that you are having a hard time facing the reality of your son's behavior than there is some vast conspiracy taking place. That's not to say that he is guilty, and I certainly hope he is not, but delusion won't get you anywhere. I hope I'm not being too insensitive, but I know how a mother's love can cloud a mother's eyes. Best of luck!