Criminal Charges No Lawyer

Published

In need of help. Not sure if this is allowed but I am an LPN of 10 years. Was in an abusive 12 year marriage that ended up with me numbing the trauma and pain with pain pills. I stopped using here and there over the years but never really able to stop. I got into trouble 5 months ago with my employer (I was travel nurse). 

Admitted to diversion to police officer and had 4 Tramadol on me at the time. Was not arrested but charged with 1 count 5th degree possession and 1 count felony theft in amount of 5,000. 

I cannot afford a lawyer at this time and cannot get in touch with the public defender they assigned to me. Anyone else have the same legal issue as I do and what was the outcome? I cannot go to jail. I have a baby. I also lost my job but was able to get onto Suboxone with husband's insurance and have a chemical dependency test Wed. After CDT, I will be put into "rehab". I have been clean for 4 months now thanks to Suboxone and have never been more clear minded. 

I do feel like getting caught was a blessing in disguise and I feel so ashamed of what I did. I understand I have to face the circumstances and punishment for my crime, I just cannot go to jail because of my son. 

Any input would be nice, even just a prayer ?

As for now, the board has suspended my license until my court hearing is over. They have no evidence against me except for whatever my sentencing will be. 

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC, Psych, Med/Surg.

Hi LPN85,

I am an RN in recovery and have walked in similar shoes to yours.  You are NOT alone!  I have been coming to this forum since 2006 but unfortunately, there isn't a lot of posting here as there was when I was starting out.

Here's my suggestion for you:  This board is STILL an absolute treasure trove of information for nurses with challenges like yours.  You can get tons of info by simply searching for terms like "criminal charges" or "lawyer"  Don't worry that your search results aren't brand new because these issues and how to deal with them have no changed much in the almost 20 years I have been aware of this hidden problem in the nursing profession.

Keep posting and I will respond to you as much as I am able although I am not here every single day as I once was.

You can face all this and survive in spite of the emotional pain you are suffering now.

((HUGS))  Catmom :paw:

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hi! Thank you for your kinds words of support and advice. I am absolutely terrified at this point but have gotten a lot of reassurance through people like yourself and another member who was nice enough to talk to me on the phone. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My husband is going to try anget a personal loan so we can hire a good attorney. And if he can't get a loan, then I will have to literally go and beg my mom and/or siblings to pitch in if possible. Of course I will pay them back every penny. I just don't feel like a public defender would have my best interest at heart since they're so overworked with little pay AND I cannot even get in touch with the guy I was assigned to ?

I'm doing my best to get into recovery and have been 5 months clean like I stated in my first post. I regret everything I did while under the influence and ashamed mostly. My job was to protect and serve and I did the opposite. None of my residents were harmed and I never withheld medication but they could have gotten hurt if I didn't get caught. 

 

I can't change the past but I can do my best to change the future and be a better nurse, person, mother, and wife. THANK YOU everyone who has posted! I never felt so damn alone until I came on here and had people reply or reach out who were in similar shoes. Please continue to pray I get through this and no jail time:(

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

catmom1 said:

Hi LPN85,

 

I am an RN in recovery and have walked in similar shoes to yours. You are NOT alone! I have been coming to this forum since 2006 but unfortunately, there isn't a lot of posting here as there was when I was starting out.

 

Here's my suggestion for you: This board is STILL an absolute treasure trove of information for nurses with challenges like yours. You can get tons of info by simply searching for terms like "criminal charges" or "lawyer" Don't worry that your search results aren't brand new because these issues and how to deal with them have no changed much in the almost 20 years I have been aware of this hidden problem in the nursing profession.

 

Keep posting and I will respond to you as much as I am able although I am not here every single day as I once was.

 

You can face all this and survive in spite of the emotional pain you are suffering now.

 

((HUGS)) Catmom :paw:

 

 

We're you ever convicted? Did you serve any jail time or just probation? 

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in BSN, RN, CVRN-BC.

Good luck and God bless!  I can't imagine how hard this must be for you and your family.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I diverted as well back in 2017 was charged with three different counts was able to get intervention in lieu of conviction spent 1 year on probation had to go to a AA meeting once a week, see the probation officer once a month and provide a drug urine. I hired a lawyer who was a joke honestly felt would have gotten the same deal with a public defender and waisted my money. I hired a better more reputable lawyer to represent me in front of the board. Hope my this helps. I feel for you I am glad this nightmare is finally behind me. 

 

 

 

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I'm glad it is finally behind you as well. Do you think its worth it to even hire a lawyer? I haven't been able to get in touch with my public defender at all....I'm just afraid of jail time....did they charge you with any counts of theft at all? I'm just scared of that count because they're claiming I took over 5,000 which is a lie. 

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hello, unfortunately can not reply directly to you on this site as I am sure due to stipulations. But to answer your question Yes, was charged with theft, illegal processing of drug documents, and drug possession which like I said was eligible for intervention in lieu of conviction as long as I complied with all their stipulations (ie: AA meeting once a week, meet with my probation officer and provide a clean urine drug screen once a month) for 1 year which I did was found not guilty and my record is now clean, expunged and sealed. Now the Board is much more punitive I found dealing with the Legal system much easier and less stressful which you would think would be the opposite, but in regards to a lawyer would not of hired one for the legal aspect would of went with a public defender and was told through someone in the courts my outcome would of been the same, but with the Board I would have a Lawyer because like I said much more punitive and absolutely no guidance even with the monitor that I was assigned to, now my discipline with the Board will be forever public but yet the legal is not which I find baffling. I truly understand what you are experiencing and how mentally messed up you are right the big thing that sucks is the unknown and that is our biggest fear. I do truly hope you get through this sucky situation fast with the least amount of battle wounds and scars. 

 

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Would it be possible to email you?! I would like to ask some more questions if you're okay with that? 

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion