What is the name of your state? Florida
Okay, my brother was convicted last year, I believe in August 2004, of grand theft of around $1400. He worked at a shop that installed radios, dvd players, and TV's in vehicles. He had just started and was mainly in charge of taking out the trash. Two new TV's had been delivered that day, but no one could find them. Later they were found out by the dumpster and he was accused of trying to steal them. His public defender told him to plead guilty because he had no witnesses and some employees were going to say he stole them. The only other conviction he has on his record his for theft when he was 18 and that's another story. Anyway, he was sentenced to 3 years probation. In the beginning of March 2005, he was called in unexpectedly by his probation officer to do a drug test because someone had said he was using cocaine. He tested positive for marijuana and was arrested for violating his probation. After a month in jail, and a number of transfers, last week he hired a lawyer for $500 and went to court this morning. He was given 2 years house arrest, followed by 3 years of probation. I was wondering if this was a fair sentence given this is his only drug offense and he has 30 days to appeal; should he appeal it or not? Thank you for responding to my questions.
Okay, my brother was convicted last year, I believe in August 2004, of grand theft of around $1400. He worked at a shop that installed radios, dvd players, and TV's in vehicles. He had just started and was mainly in charge of taking out the trash. Two new TV's had been delivered that day, but no one could find them. Later they were found out by the dumpster and he was accused of trying to steal them. His public defender told him to plead guilty because he had no witnesses and some employees were going to say he stole them. The only other conviction he has on his record his for theft when he was 18 and that's another story. Anyway, he was sentenced to 3 years probation. In the beginning of March 2005, he was called in unexpectedly by his probation officer to do a drug test because someone had said he was using cocaine. He tested positive for marijuana and was arrested for violating his probation. After a month in jail, and a number of transfers, last week he hired a lawyer for $500 and went to court this morning. He was given 2 years house arrest, followed by 3 years of probation. I was wondering if this was a fair sentence given this is his only drug offense and he has 30 days to appeal; should he appeal it or not? Thank you for responding to my questions.