I'm so screwed....

[Joanne98]

HELP! I posted this last night. My son is in jail in Texas. He's charged with possession of a small amount of drugs. So what's the problem. It's Williamson County. They give everyone the maximum. They offered him 20 years. He turned it down and now they've UPPED it. Yes, we have a lawyer and ex-prosecutor who lives there. I just got an e-mail from the guy at The Muckraker blog. He said the people in Williamson are 99% corrupt. What am I going to do.

Here's the link to my first thread

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=105&topic_id=5521848&mesg_id=5521848

Here's an example of the corruption going on there...

http://salcostello.blogspot.com/2006/08/who-said-crime-doesnt-pay.html

This is what we're dealing with. Corrupt Republicans ALL OF THEM.

[auntAgonist]

1. I'm so sorry to hear of your son's troubles

and I have no advice to offer. I will keep your family in my thoughts and send best wishes to you all.

I hope you can resolve this soon.

aA
:hug:

[Joanne98]

4. thanx

[ScreamingMeemie]

2. Research attorneys and get the best you can, with a good record.

If you don't want to see him go to prison, mortgage the house, take out a loan or do whatever. Sometimes these counties get away with it because no one has the guts or cash to push them. Good luck Joanne. I'm so sorry.

[Joanne98]

3. Thankyou

[wildhorses]

5. this is awful...my heart goes out to you. I will keep you in my

thoughts and prayers. Please keep us posted.:hug:

[Spacemom]

6. I'm sorry to hear this

I live is Travis county and it's very blue here. Everyone I know avoids even driving through Williamson because it's so corrupt. I second the advice about getting the best lawyer you can afford and fighting.

Good luck. :hug:

[Joanne98]

11. That's what I'm hearing. I just got an e-mail from the muckraker blog

His name is Sal. He said Williamson was 99% corrupt. Of course their all republicans. I'm so angry.

[Roon]

7. Damn, I got busted for smoking a joint on the beach in Texas

they locked me up and let me go after my Mother posted $300.00. What kind of drugs did he get caught with and how much?

[Joanne98]

9. A quarter ounce of cocaine. It's the county. It's corrupt.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

16. Therein lies the problem. A quarter ounce of cocaine isn't small

It is enough to sell. You seem to indicate he and the business partner were arrested together. Was the business partner holding too? If so, was it the same amount? How did they get caught? Undercover? A traffic stop?

If the business partner was holding more, it might not be good for them to have the same defense. There might be a conflict. One can't serve two masters. The 5000 fee that you say was paid was reasonable but that won't be his fees in the unlikely event that it goes to trial (90% of drug possession charges don't). The psych eval (for 3500) is a bit steep but not totally unreasonable. Here in California a psychiatric evaluation for the defense runs a bit less (between 2500 and 3000) His lawyer is probably wanting to use such a report to claim he is a candidate for drug rehab therapy rather than of a criminal mind.

[Joanne98]

27. His business partner wasn't arrested. They don't sell drugs...

They're in the FOREX market. They trade currency. My son was caught when he was walking out of an apartment after a girl called the police on her boyfriend for domestic problem. He just happened to be there. His lawyer is trying to get drug rehab. See Spacemom's post. She lives in Travis county next door to Williamson. She said people avoid driving thru the town because of corruption.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

30. Ok just making sure

It wasn't clear from your prior posts. It sounds like the lawyer is attempting both rehab and a suspended sentence which means if he gets rehab, he'll probably do some jail time but the remainder of the sentence won't get served unless he violates probation. If he can accomplish that, it would probably be a good deal as long as the time served isn't extreme.

[pitohui]

101. they trade currency, they're money launderers -- that's cop logic

whoa, that is got to be the logic of the cops and i have to admit i'm bothered by it too

making a big deal over this amt of product is just ridiculous, there is something else going on -- if not in reality, then something the prosecutors are confident they can make look bad to a jury

i don't know but he is going to have to pull some cash out of the bankroll and get the most knowledgeable possible attorney in the area of drug and forfeiture law

nothing we say here is going to do anyone any good

the business partner may not have been arrested because he is guilty of something very serious and has cut a deal to protect himself, which necessarily entails destroying someone else

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

106. Baloney. Trading currency is similar to trading stocks and commodities

It's all done online, not with actual cash

[Roon]

18. Ouch!

Yeah, I imagine they don't mess around with that much coke. Hell, I was shocked when they cuffed me and hauled me away for a joint! In colorado, you get a ticket, like a traffic fine.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

22. I am completely ignorant about drugs, please enlighten

How much does a cocaine user usually buy for his own use?

[johnnie]

24. A gram at the most

It's been a long time that I knew of that stuff, but 1 gram was 100 bucks worth

[Breeze54]

39. A 1/4 ounce is two eight balls!

That's a party for a few or just for two, if they're heavy drug users.
Can also be cut and sold in grams or whatever size packets and they could make a profit.

http://www.usdoj.gov/ndic/pubs2/2580/cocaine.htm
snip-->
According to DEA, in New York City powdered cocaine sold for $20,000 to $30,000 per kilogram,
$900 to $950 per ounce, $120 to $150 per one-eighth ounce (eight ball),
and $20 to $30 per gram in the first quarter of FY2002.
In Upstate New York powdered cocaine sold for $20,000 to $32,000 per kilogram,
$800 to $1,600 per ounce, $160 to $175 per eight ball, and $50 to $125 per gram. <--snip

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cocaine
Cocaine is typically sold to users by the gram ($40-$80US) or eight ball (3.5 grams) ($125-$250).
Quality and price can vary dramatically depending on demand and supply.

http://www.villagevoice.com/news/0131,gonnerman,26856,1.html
Tulia Blues
How the Lingering Effects of a Massive Drug Bust Devastated One Family in a Small Texas Town
by Jennifer Gonnerman
August 1 - 7, 2001

snip-->
Cocaine has been readily available here for years, as it has been across the rural South.
But over the last year, Tulia has emerged as a hotbed of drug-war politics.
Activists point to the situation in Tulia as a perfect example of all that is wrong with
the war on drugs—from dubious police tactics to ultra-stiff prison sentences to shattered families.

How could such a small, impoverished town possibly support 46 drug dealers?
The answer appears to have nothing to do with uncovering a well-organized drug ring and
everything to do with a narcotics agent named Tom Coleman. The undercover agent spent 18
months infiltrating the black community here, and the entire drug bust was built on his undercover work.
There were no wiretaps, no surveillance photos, and virtually no secondary witnesses.
The morning that cops barged into the suspects' homes, they found no weapons, money, or drugs.

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

90. Wow...I've seen it for $35-60

$55-60 would be top notch stuff

[johnnie]

92. A gram?

Dang you young kids today!..lol. Of course I remember when a joint went for 50 cents.

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

97. Yeah. It's also easier to find than weed.

That's the true sign of living in a Republican county.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

25. If it were a gram, they probably would still be tough

but that would be considered an amount more likely for personal use. A quarter ounce is 7 grams and depending on the circumstances of his arrest i.e. was there a scale or something to measure with, was someone trying to buy some of it, or the like, the prosecutor may try to make a case that he was possessing with an intent to sell.

In Texas as in most states, it also matters if he is white, latino or black.

[Joanne98]

28. He's white. There is no intent to sell charge. Just possession.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

31. That's good re: no sell just possession

The fact that he's a professional will also help

[Joanne98]

47. self-delete

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

50. You probably shouldn't post anymore details about his current

cirsumstances.

It's one thing to say what he's charged with, but by posting other details, you could be implicating him in more crimes.

[Joanne98]

thanx

[pitohui]

102. currency trading as a "profession" will not help

it's prob. why they are offering the 20-plus years to begin with, they think they have a big time money launderer here

in some professions you have to have a severe problem to even think about using drugs or associating with those who use drugs, in today's world, if you deal with currency and cash, you cannot must not use drugs or associate with those who use drugs period

unfortunately what is done is done

he needs the best attorney that money can buy or he's toast

however, all is not lost -- an aquaintance of mine was caught at the airport w. some suspicious items and after it was determined he could not be a terrorist (he's jewish), he was arrested as a drug kingpin/money launderer blah blah blah -- this was in florida -- the end result was that he paid an attorney who knew the ropes quite a lot of money, some of which got kicked back to the police department and the charges were mysteriously dropped

but you need the right attorney with the right connections for that locality! someone knows this kid deals in currency exchange and the PD wants some of the cash so the attorney has to be experienced in finding the safest way to make the pay-off and save this kid's life w.out getting more years and charges tacked on for attempted bribery

okay, i'm editing this -- reading down, i see the reason for the harsh penalty is the previous conviction and the 6 years of status as a fugitive, so i agree w. the title of the post, i think he is screwed

[Roon]

26. A casual user can get by on anywhere from a half of gram

to a full gram a night. But hardcore users can have a bunch....like a quarter oz. It just depends on the user and how long they have been doing it.

[Ptah]

8. . . .

:hug:

I can only offer my thoughts and prayers
for a happy outcome.

:hug:

[Bucky]

10. There's a regular group of Democratic bloggers in that county who might...

be able to refer you to a good lawyer or give you a few hints about what you'll need to do to navigate that corner of central Texas. Their point of contact is at Eye On Williamson.org and they might know things like who's the most/least corrupt judge, just what "corrupt" means for drug cases, what lawyers are on good enough terms to get a fair hearing of his case, etc.

[Joanne98]

12. I've contacted them. I've been reading the blog. It is good.

So far they haven't wrote me back. thanx anyway.

[Bucky]

14. Oops, shoulda read the rest of the thread.

His real name is on his website. He's done some investigation in corruption in Williamson county (altho mostly on roads issues). He might also give you a name of a good lawyer.

on edit: oops, shoulda read the rest of the thread.

[Whoa_Nelly]

13. Maybe his attorney can get a change of venue to another county

for some reason :hug:

[Bucky]

15. Not for an ounce of coke. C'mon. Small town & ex-urb DAs like to play tuff

... particularly on drugs. My guess is that for an ounce, they're probably trying to scare him into giving up his contacts, dealer, etc. It doesn't help Joann any right now, cause this is really scary shit, but I'm sure her boy will not end up doing anything near 40 actual years for this. But he's in a serious situation.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

17. 1/4 ounce not an ounce

[Roon]

19. Might as well be an ounce eom

[Bucky]

20. My bad. But still, they're squeezing him for posturing sake, maybe a deal

I had a friend 15 years ago who got the same screws put to him over a tiny amount of controlled substance in Anderson County. They mostly wanted names and, like an idiot, he didn't rat; ended up doing three years, but they threatened a hell of a lot more at the outset.

[Joanne98]

42. They're absolutely heartless in this county. Here's an example

Fleeing Drunk Driver Sentenced to 55 Years in Prison

http://wcportals.wilco.org/district_attorney/news_tab/index.htm#p104

A jury convicted Markum Peavey (dob 10/21/63) of Liberty Hill of felony driving while intoxicated and evading with a vehicle. After a punishment hearing, the jury imposed a sentence of 55 years in prison for the DWI and 25 years in prison for evading. Those sentences will run concurrently.

At 2:15 a.m. on July 29, 2005, a truck driver used his cell phone to report a reckless southbound driver on I-35 at Round Rock. Patrol officers responded and attempted to stop Peavey, who almost hit several cars as he swerved drunkenly down the interstate. At first, Peavey pulled into a rest area but then nearly struck several cars, jumped the curb, drove on the grass and returned to I-35 southbound. Peavey continued to evade officers, traveling into Travis County. Eventually, Austin Police Department officers stopped his vehicle by spiking the tires of his vehicle.

At trial, Peavey claimed someone at a bar had put an unknown drug into his drink without his knowledge. However, the jury heard evidence that Peavey had consumed 4-5 beers and 4-5 glasses of wine before being told by friends not to drive over an hour of argument. “The jury took less than an hour to find him guilty and impose the punishment,” said District Attorney John Bradley. “Nothing excuses driving a car after you are drunk.”

Only two years earlier, Peavey had been convicted of felony DWI in Williamson County and had been sentenced to 7 years in prison. He was released on parole only 7 months before he committed the new DWI. Peavey also had two prior Williamson County DWI misdemeanor convictions in 2000 and another prior misdemeanor DWI conviction in Alaska. He also had previous felony burglary and drug possession convictions from Mississippi.

Judge Burt Carnes (368th District Court) ordered Peavey to begin serving his sentences only after finishing the 7-year prison sentence for his 2003 felony DWI. In addition, Judge Carnes entered an affirmative finding that Peavey’s vehicle was used as a deadly weapon. That finding means Peavey will not be eligible for parole until at least 2033.

There's more at this link.

[Breeze54]

43. But this guy had four DWI 's !!!

:yoiks: One was a felony DWI, according to the article.

edit-> Although 55 years plus 7 years seems like a rather harsh sentence, I guess.

[Joanne98]

45. Your kidding right? It's not harsh, it's INSANE!

[Breeze54]

48. That's the Texas DWI Law though...

http://www.dallas-dwi-lawyer.com/DWI_punishment.htm

DWI/DUI Enhanced Penalties
Under Texas law, if it is shown that a person has been previously convicted of DWI, the punishment and penalties after conviction are increased or enhanced. The prior DWI conviction must have occurred within ten (10) years of the present arrest for DWI. Additionally, if a person has any prior DWI conviction within the previous ten year period (measured from dates of arrest), the State is then allowed to use any prior DWI conviction since obtaining a drivers license to enhance the accusation to a DWI, third offense. NOTE: Texas can use prior convictions that have occurred in other states for enhancement of punishment.

DWI/DUI, 1st Offense: Class B Misdemeanor
DWI/DUI, Additional Conditions of Probation
DWI/DUI, Enhancement
DWI/DUI, 2nd Offense: Class A Misdemeanor
DWI/DUI, 3rd Offense (Or Greater): 3rd Degree Felony
Intoxication Assault: Third Degree Felony
Intoxication Manslaughter: Second Degree Felony

[Midlodemocrat]

51. You wouldn't be saying that if you lost a loved one to a drunk driver.

I have. 55 years isn't long enough.

[ScreamingMeemie]

55. I have as well... and I do think it is too much.

While a worthy cause, much of the Drunk Driving campaign has become a witch hunt, IMO.

I have sat in a small town (pop less than 2,000) courthouse and watched 82 (stunned) cases come before a judge. Unfortunately for both sides, it has become a money making gold mine for corrupt small towns. :(

[Midlodemocrat]

58. But this guy was convicted before for DWI.

If it were his first time, I think it is harsh. But it wasn't.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

61. Actually, by the time someone has been convicted three times

for DWI it's pretty clear they aren't going to stop drinking and driving. While I think it is steep if no one is killed, that's simply saying we'll wait til they do kill.

[Joanne98]

67. The American Medical Association says addiction is a disease..

why can't they put people in rehabs instead? Prison is only making the problem worse.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

70. Rehab is usually part of the sentence for the priors

While I agree with you that rehab makes more sense and I also consider that rehab is a big money making business and not all rehabs are equal...all it takes is enough tragedy to get communities hostile toward anything that isn't punitive.

[Midlodemocrat]

72. Addiction to alcohol is indeed a disease.

But driving while under the influence is a crime. World of difference.

I wish the guy who killed my best friend's husband had been in prison. He'd still be alive and their family wouldn't be so sad.

[Joanne98]

75. Have you ever seen how sick some drinkers are?

They don't even remember driving. It's a serious diease and I'm sorry for your friend but prison isn't helping the problem. If rehab was easier to get more people would seek help before they do something bad.

[Midlodemocrat]

79. Sorry. Don't agree. Alcoholism is a serious, serious disease,

but at some point the alcoholic is going to be sober enough to put his keys away.

If someone drinks themselves into a stupor in their own home, that's none of my business.

It becomes my business when they get behind the wheel.

[Joanne98]

84. A lot of these people are young with children who end up orphans

http://www.november.org/

This website shows you the children of the addicts who are getting the long sentences.

[Midlodemocrat]

89. And my friend's kids are now without a dad.

If the asshole that killed him had been locked up after his second DWI, he'd still be alive.

[Breeze54]

81. Treatment vs Jail - Texas

Treatment vs Jail
Information-Help-Support

http://www.soberrecovery.com/links/texastreatmentcenters.html

http://www.drug-rehabs.org/drug-rehab.php/Texas
To Find Drug Rehab and Treatment Centers in Texas
Call toll free 1-877-437-8422
Drug Rehab, Texas

Drug Rehabs .org is part of a not-for-profit social betterment organization.
Services are provided at no cost.
We are here to assist you in finding a drug rehab for your specific alcohol or drug addiction problem.
There are many different types of drug rehab centers, drug rehabilitation,
and substance abuse treatment programs
(i.e. Out-patient, In-patient, Residential treatment, Long term treatment,
Counseling, Meetings, etc...)
Drug Rehabs .org will inform you of all the different treatment options.
Our case workers are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Call toll free 866-845-8975 We can help!

[Joanne98]

85. Thanx. Here's a website that deals with the injustice of the drug war..

http://www.november.org/

It's actually really horrible.

[Breeze54]

73. How many chances does the guy get to go to rehab?

The Tx law says they do send them to rehab, although I don't know how often that happens.
You have to admit that 4 DWI convictions is pretty bad!!
That guy is an accident waiting to happen.
Maybe he'll get help in prison. It says he will....(below). :shrug:
I'm glad he's off the streets!

--------------

http://www.dallas-dwi-lawyer.com/DWI_punishment.htm
Other: A third conviction for DWI indicates a significant problem with alcohol
to the Court or jury assessing punishment.
Some type of rehabilitative treatment is therefore mandated in punishment if confinement
in the penitentiary is to be avoided.
In some cases an in-patient, incarceration program (Substance Abuse Felony Probation SAFP) is ordered.
This program requires confinement in a State Facility for alcohol rehabilitation.
After successful completion of the SAFP program, the person is then released
and placed on probation for a term not to exceed ten (10) years.
Another popular condition for habitual DWI offenders is a prescription for a drug named "Antibuse".
This drug will make a person violently ill if any alcohol is consumed.
The alcohol can be contained in mouthwash or marinated food and will still have the same
effect on the user. If a person has any type of liver problems,
this drug can cause liver failure and death.
Texas law does not provide for any increased punishment after DWI, third offense.
If a person presents a DWI, fourth offense or beyond, the typical punishment is
confinement in the penitentiary from two (2) to ten (10) years without probation being granted.
In some cases SAFP or "Shock Probation" may be granted upon proper request and showing
that it is appropriate.

Intoxication Assault: Third degree Felony
"A person commits an offense if the person, by accident or mistake, while operating a...
motor vehicle in a public place while intoxicated, by reason of that intoxication causes
serious bodily injury to another" {Texas Penal Code §49.07}.

" 'Serious Bodily Injury' means injury that creates a substantial risk of death or protracted
loss or impairment of the function of any bodily member or organ".
Fine: A fine not to exceed $10,000.00.
Jail: Confinement in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Institutional Divisio
(Penitentiary) for a term of not less than 2 year nor more than ten (10) years.
Community Service: Texas law mandates that a judge order not less than 160 hours
nor more than 600 hours.

Intoxication Manslaughter: Second Degree Felony
"A person commits an offense if the person:

1)...operates a motor vehicle in a public place, and...
2)...is intoxicated and by reason of that intoxication causes the death
of another by accident or mistake."

Fine: A fine not to exceed $10,000.00.
Jail: Confinement in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Institutional Divisio (Penitentiary)
for a term of not less than 2 year nor more than twenty (20) years.
Community Service: Texas law mandates that a judge order not less than 240 hours nor more than 800 hours.

[Name removed]

71. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

80. Oh I agree that many of the current zero tolerance laws are more

reactive than proactive. I was only saying that while a disease should be treated as a disease, there needs to be a healthy mix of compassion for the ill or addict tempered with the public interest which is keeping dangerous (i.e repeat offenders) intoxicated drivers off the road.

[Name removed]

82. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

83. You already told me about that. And yes, it was crap.

The law punishes the crime not the criminal and in doing so it is sometimes very unfair.

[Joanne98]

65. Thankyou Mrs Grumpy.

[elehhhhna]

76. Oh. Come. ON!

"Only two years earlier, Peavey had been convicted of felony DWI in Williamson County and had been sentenced to 7 years in prison. He was released on parole only 7 months before he committed the new DWI."

So 7 year sentence = 1.5 years in prison?

So the 55 year sentence means he'll do, like, 9 years in jail?

IMO, he earned that jail sentence.

[Midlodemocrat]

78. IMHO, he earned it as well.

I have no sympathy for anyone who drinks and gets behind the wheel. Zero.

[uncle ray]

74. your friend is not an idiot

he is an honorable man who took what the drug warriors had to dish out instead of narcing out his friends and making THEM do the time. it sucks that he had to do time, but if he had narced out others, he'd probably STILL be watching his back.

[Bucky]

86. Nice theory, but that dealer later went on to kill two people

If my friend had ratted out the dealer, two other humans would be alive today. I don't agree with the drug war, but I won't sugar coat the people it targets either.

[uncle ray]

94. the murder has nothing to do with being a rat

ratting someone out to save your own ass is chickenshit, period. now if your friend was not in trouble himself, and had good reason to believe a murder was likely to happen, that would be another story.

[Joanne98]

21. I'll ask him but I think everybody tries to do that.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

23. You can't get a change of venue on a drug charge in most instances

You are tried in the county where you are arrested because the county pays for the prosecution of your case. What's most important is to get the case before the most lenient judge on the bench at the time OR the judge your son's lawyer golfs with.

[Joanne98]

29. Four judges All Republicans All card-carrying members of the

Christian Colition. All corrupt.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

32. If your son knows where they go to church, he should start attending

services there :evilgrin:

(honestly it isn't a bad idea )

[Joanne98]

34. I already thought of that but he's in jail and can't get out.....

This arrest actually happened 6 years ago but my son fled because they wanted to give him 20 years then too. Because he fled there's no bond.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

35. Well there's a complication and a half!

However, because he fled, there are more charges than just the possession I would assume.

[Joanne98]

38. Yes but I don't know the exact charges. I'm trying to call the lawyer now.

[elehhhhna]

77. ya think?

oh btw he shot a man in reno...

oy

[sir_captain]

37. Wait...I'm confused...

Has he been a fugitive for the last six years?

[Joanne98]

40. Yes! He ran because the sentence was so long. He just got caught

in TENN. For drunk in public. He's an alcoholic

[Kali]

91. OK now I am confused

he just got busted for public intox in Tennessee? and they are going to send him to TEXAS? for a 6 year old charge?

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

98. Oh sure, States extradite for one another all the time

Fleeing on a warrant and jumping bail is a far greater offense than public drunkeness. Besides, Texas pays the extradition charges so Tenn. saves money in the long run by complying with the extradition.

[cool user name]

95. This nation's drug laws are so fucked up.

I'm so sorry about your son. I'm a young guy myself that could have just as easily be in his position (no, I don't use anymore - but regardless). I'm a pretty nice guy, have a good job and liked to party (way too much) and does that deserve 40 years in prison?

This War on Drugs, like the War on Terror, is nothing more but a joke - and a war profiteer's dream.

Your son is a casualty. I'm sorry about that.

We need to agitate for changing these draconian laws so no more sons and daughters (and fathers and mothers) aren't rotting their lives away in jail instead of getting needed help.

[Joanne98]

33. Here read this....

Convicted Criminal connected to TxDOT Freeway Tolling Scheme, Amos “Pete” Peters, is selling his 3,000 sq foot downtown home on 1309 MARSHALL LANE, Austin 78703 this week.
http://salcostello.blogspot.com/2006/08/who-said-crime-doesnt-pay.html

$1.2 Million Dollar Home
The home is under contract, pending, for $1.2 Million after 7 days on the market.

In 2002 Peters received a City of Austin building permit to upgrade 1309 Marshall Ln with a little Kitchen and Bath remodeling. City records show it was a $93,000 value.


Peters has a 20-year criminal record, including charges for check fraud/swindling, fraud/illegal use of credit cards, larceny and DUI. He was convicted of three felonies and three misdemeanors.

Pete Peters is one of the key players in the freeway tolling boondoggle. Peters was considered so close to Williamson County officials that the state Attorney General’s Office joined a recent investigation of him. According to one report, “Peters has handled campaign work for almost every major office holder in the county.” The investigation focused on several meetings related to the Williamson County Road Bonds Program for which Williamson County paid Peters; some persons who were supposed to be at these meetings allege that they never took place.


I’ve been told by numerous reliable sources that the toll authority's Mike Heiligenstein (Peters ran his campaign as county commisioner) and other Wilco tollers make sure “Pete Gets Paid” with the plan to toll roads we’ve already paid for. Thanks to Heiligenstein, Mike Weaver and others, Peters has already received NO BID contracts, which were paid for with our tax dollars.

[Joanne98]

36. Here's their website. They gave a drunk driver 55 years in prison

Fleeing Drunk Driver Sentenced to 55 Years in Prison

http://wcportals.wilco.org/district_attorney/news_tab/index.htm#p104

A jury convicted Markum Peavey (dob 10/21/63) of Liberty Hill of felony driving while intoxicated and evading with a vehicle. After a punishment hearing, the jury imposed a sentence of 55 years in prison for the DWI and 25 years in prison for evading. Those sentences will run concurrently.

At 2:15 a.m. on July 29, 2005, a truck driver used his cell phone to report a reckless southbound driver on I-35 at Round Rock. Patrol officers responded and attempted to stop Peavey, who almost hit several cars as he swerved drunkenly down the interstate. At first, Peavey pulled into a rest area but then nearly struck several cars, jumped the curb, drove on the grass and returned to I-35 southbound. Peavey continued to evade officers, traveling into Travis County. Eventually, Austin Police Department officers stopped his vehicle by spiking the tires of his vehicle.

At trial, Peavey claimed someone at a bar had put an unknown drug into his drink without his knowledge. However, the jury heard evidence that Peavey had consumed 4-5 beers and 4-5 glasses of wine before being told by friends not to drive over an hour of argument. “The jury took less than an hour to find him guilty and impose the punishment,” said District Attorney John Bradley. “Nothing excuses driving a car after you are drunk.”

Only two years earlier, Peavey had been convicted of felony DWI in Williamson County and had been sentenced to 7 years in prison. He was released on parole only 7 months before he committed the new DWI. Peavey also had two prior Williamson County DWI misdemeanor convictions in 2000 and another prior misdemeanor DWI conviction in Alaska. He also had previous felony burglary and drug possession convictions from Mississippi.

Judge Burt Carnes (368th District Court) ordered Peavey to begin serving his sentences only after finishing the 7-year prison sentence for his 2003 felony DWI. In addition, Judge Carnes entered an affirmative finding that Peavey’s vehicle was used as a deadly weapon. That finding means Peavey will not be eligible for parole until at least 2033.

[Nicole]

59. The guy had 5 DWIs!

If I'm reading the article correctly, this was his 5th DWI, at least 4 of them in the last 5 years. He was on early parole for only 7 months before getting this DWI. He's lucky he hasn't hit anyone yet.

[bicentennial_baby]

41. Actually, no, your son is

Sorry :shrug:

It may sound callous, but it surely sounds as if he's dug his own hole with this one...

[cool user name]

96. What for being addicted to drugs?

You are callous.

[bicentennial_baby]

100. No, for running from a charge, when the consequences of such

and getting arrested yet again would and could and probably are much worse. Hey, I use drugs, but I wouldn't run from a serious charge like having 7 grams of coke...That's not how I roll, sorry. :shrug:

[Joanne98]

44. This is my son's judge. He sentence this guy to twenty years.

June 14, 2006

Mouthful of Heroin Costs 20 Years in Prison

Juan Bautista (dob 7/5/63) pled guilty to possessing a controlled substance. Judge Billy Ray Stubblefield (26th District Court) convicted Bautista and sentenced him to 20 years in prison.

On November 5, 2005, Georgetown police received a cell phone call from a driver on I-35. “The driver told police that he was watching an 18-wheeler truck weave between lanes on I-35 northbound at 40 miles per hour,” said District Attorney John Bradley. Officer Justice stopped the truck at 10:48 p.m. and began interviewing the driver, who was intoxicated.

Meanwhile, after arriving in a separate patrol car, Officer Vasquez made contact with Bautista, a passenger in the truck. While speaking to Bautista, Officer Vasquez noticed a bulge in Bautista’s right cheek and asked him what was in his mouth. Bautista stated, “Nothing.” But, when opening his mouth to talk, he revealed what appeared to be a plastic bag between his mouth and teeth. Officer Vasquez ordered Bautista to spit out whatever was in his mouth. Bautista spit out a condom holding nearly 9 grams of heroin and was arrested.

Bautista had previously been convicted for felony theft in 1995 in DeWitt County and possession of a controlled substance in 2004 in Bexar County. He also had numerous prior convictions for misdemeanor crimes, including theft, possession of marihuana, assault, resisting arrest and trespass.

The driver was arrested for misdemeanor driving while intoxicated. His case is pending in a county-court-at –law. He has pled not guilty.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

46. But that guy had two priors

and Texas law demands higher time for priors. Does your son have any prior felony convictions?

[Joanne98]

52. One. In Travis county. For a gram of cocaine. He got probation

He fled on that too, but they are being reasonable and aren't filing any charges. Just re-instating the probation. There a huge difference between the sentencing of the two counties. My son would have never have fled if he had been going to court in Travis. I've talked to lawyers in Austin. They all tell horror stories about Williamson. He got scared and walked out of court.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

56. But if they are reinstating the probation

then at a minimum he is going to get popped for probation violation. Either way, it sounds like the lawyer is taking the right approach by getting the psych eval.

[Joanne98]

60. It's the only thing he can do. He sounds like a nice guy. I yelled

at him last night cause I was so shocked they upped the time. I'm still trying to call him back. No answer so far.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

66. You're not likely to reach him on a Saturday and nothing can be done today

Your best bet is to mail your son some self-help books that he can read while incarcerated and hope he gets his life on track.
You also need to do something to distract yourself from this for today. Nothing can be done today. It's Saturday.

Since your son was still drinking and got caught for that, it is obvious he has a substance abuse problem still be it drugs or alcohol. YOu don't say how old he is (that I noticed) but just hope he uses this time and experience to get himself straight. Do everything you can to support that and do something nice for yourself today.

You can assist him with this but you can't rescue him from his consequences.

I'm sorry for your heartbreak and anxiety.

Hopefully he is in good hands with the attorney he has.

You can look up other Williamson county attorneys and ask them if the one he has is good. That may help.

[Joanne98]

88. Good idea. I'm still in shock. I think I'll lay down...

[Karenca]

54. If you read all the threads pertaining to the case,

her son was just picked up and arrested for Public Intoxication.

The drug case was from six years ago, which he fled from,
and hence he has been a fugitive for six years. He had been given 20 years at that time,
but never served because he ran away..

Unfortunately, to make matters worse, 1/4 ounce of cocaine
is not considered a "small amount". It's an amount that could be called: "drug possession with intention of selling".

I wish her alot of luck......he is going to need a top attorney.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

57. If I am reading correctly, he fled PRIOR to sentencing or conviction

last time. He hadn't been given 20 years i.e. sentenced, he had been offered 20 years in a plea bargain and fled prior to resolution.

[Karenca]

63. Sound like that's it.

Now, unfortunately, he is looking at more than 20 years.

[Joanne98]

69. Yes.

[Joanne98]

62. The charge is just for possession.

[Karenca]

64. Good luck

:grouphug:

[GOPisEvil]

49. I wish I had someone that could help you out.

Williamson County is "throw the book at you" country. So close to Austin, so different.

I'll ask around a bit. Have you cross-posted into the Texas forum? Maybe someone there has an idea.

[Joanne98]

53. That is what I've been telling everyone. You must live in Texas.

I will post on the Texas forum later.

[Nicole]

68. I'm sorry for you going through this

Sounds like your son is going to need a lot of help to get out of this. Good luck.

[Joanne98]

87. Zogby poll on the drug war....

US Voters Support Prisoner Rehabilitation
From every age, gender, economic, political, cultural and ethnic group and every geographic area, Americans overwhelmingly support the rehabilitation of non-violent criminals both before and after prison, a new poll by Zogby International shows.

Three out of four Americans expressed either fear or concern about the 700,000 prisoners who leave U.S. prisons each year, and the 60% of them likely to commit crimes that send them back to prison, Zogby's national survey showed. The February 2006 poll explored what people think ought to be done about the situation.




The survey sponsored by the National Council on Crime and Delinquency (NCCD) reveals that by almost a 9 to 1 margin (87% to 11%), the U.S. voting public favors rehabilitative services for prisoners as opposed to a punishment only system. Of those polled, 70% favored these services during incarceration and after release.

Likely voters appear to recognize that our current "correctional system" does not help correct the problem of crime, the survey indicates.

By strong majorities, Americans said they feel that a lack of life skills, the experience of being in prison, and many obstacles faced upon community reentry are major factors in crimes that prisoners commit following their release.

By an overwhelming majority (82%), people feel that the lack of job training and job opportunities were significant barriers to those released prisoners who wanted to avoid committing subsequent crimes.

Similar large majorities saw the lack of housing, medical and mental health services, drug treatment, family support and mentoring as additional barriers -- and believe that all of these services should be available to returning prisoners. Most of the respondents felt that reentry services must be introduced to prisoners long before they're released.

When asked about pending legislation making federal funds available to communities for services in support of successful reentry (The Second Chance Act, esp.), 78% were in support -- and 40% of those strongly supported such assistance.

Dr. Barry Krisberg, President of NCCD, said "these survey results tell us that Americans have looked at the 30-year experiment on getting tough with offenders and decided it is no longer working. We have built up an unprecedented prison population of over 2 million, but most of these offenders are returning home each year with few skills or support to keep them from going back to lives of crime."

The survey was conducted Feb. 15-18, 2006, and included 1,039 respondents. The poll carries a margin of error of +/- 3.1 percentage points.

Source: www.zogby.com/news/ReadNews.dbm?ID=1101

[Breeze54]

103. Can't you get your son to sign up for a rehab NOW????

Wouldn't that help him, somewhat, before he goes to court?
He needs to make the first step, imho. Look at Mel Gibson!
Maybe that would help with some leniency?
:shrug:

[NewWaveChick1981]

93. I just wanted to say I'm really sorry.

:hug: :hug: I don't have any words of advice or wisdom because I've never been through something like that, but I'm thinking of you and your son. :pals:

[Joanne98]

110. Thankyou

[philosophie_en_rose]

99. Document everything!

Keep a diary of what has happened, who you talk to, and anything else you can think of.

Be on the system like a hawk - searching for anything that can be the basis of an appeal.

[FILAM23]

104. Williamson County

Possession, fled to avoid prosecution, probable parole violation.
I'd say he's looking at at least 35 years now and there be no
bail because he is a proven flight risk.

[Joanne98]

107. Are you living in Texas?

[FILAM23]

108. Yes I am

in Waco

[Joanne98]

109. I'm hoping what you said isn't true but I'm afraid it might be.

I'm losing all hope.

[lizziegrace]

105. How old is your son?

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this.