I'm looking for some advice here. I'd like some reassurance but that may not be in the cards right now. Here's the situation: my wife got a call the other day from a detective, who, at first, said they needed her to come in for some questioning. Naturally, she wanted to know what about and it led up to him telling her that they had evidence of her using a credit card fraudulently and they were going to arrest her.
I really want to know what's going on here. I am certain that she would not do this maliciously but she does have bipolar disorder and I wonder if it is possible that during one of her manic episodes, she "blacked out" or just had a total lapse in judgement? Could any medical/psychological types tell me if this is feasible?
I'd also like to hear from law enforcement / criminal justice types. If she is found guilty, what kind of sentence could we expect? The amount charged to the card was around $1500 but since she doesn't have anything else on her record, would they possibly use probation in lieu of serving jail time?
She has to go down to the station tomorrow morning for the "questioning" (booking most likely to follow) and I'm really worried about what's going to happen from here on out. Don't get me wrong, I am in no way in favor of identity theft. In fact, I'm a victim myself and feel the sting of it every day. But when this sort of thing strikes close to home...I don't know. I just know she wouldn't consciencely (sp?) hurt anyone. What I'd really like to come out of all this is that this is all a huge misunderstanding and she was wrongly accused. But something is telling me that is too much to hope for.
I sold all the stocks that I have and gathered about $4000 to set aside for legal fees. The lawyer's retainer will be $2000 and I'll probably have to foot $1000 bail. This is heavy, as I am already struggling financially due to legal fees from a custody battle. Seems like it just never ends.
I just wish there was something else I could do besides just wait and pray that this all works out for the better. Any pearls of wisdom would be appreciated.
I really want to know what's going on here. I am certain that she would not do this maliciously but she does have bipolar disorder and I wonder if it is possible that during one of her manic episodes, she "blacked out" or just had a total lapse in judgement? Could any medical/psychological types tell me if this is feasible?
I'd also like to hear from law enforcement / criminal justice types. If she is found guilty, what kind of sentence could we expect? The amount charged to the card was around $1500 but since she doesn't have anything else on her record, would they possibly use probation in lieu of serving jail time?
She has to go down to the station tomorrow morning for the "questioning" (booking most likely to follow) and I'm really worried about what's going to happen from here on out. Don't get me wrong, I am in no way in favor of identity theft. In fact, I'm a victim myself and feel the sting of it every day. But when this sort of thing strikes close to home...I don't know. I just know she wouldn't consciencely (sp?) hurt anyone. What I'd really like to come out of all this is that this is all a huge misunderstanding and she was wrongly accused. But something is telling me that is too much to hope for.
I sold all the stocks that I have and gathered about $4000 to set aside for legal fees. The lawyer's retainer will be $2000 and I'll probably have to foot $1000 bail. This is heavy, as I am already struggling financially due to legal fees from a custody battle. Seems like it just never ends.
I just wish there was something else I could do besides just wait and pray that this all works out for the better. Any pearls of wisdom would be appreciated.
