For anyone who thinks all on the registry are guilty:
Picture it late 1990's; I was faced with the most difficult decision of my life. I was green to the whole concept of how the 'justice system worked'. With absolutely no hint of suspicion on my mind nor a clout of guilt, I agreed to go downtown to be (and I quote the detective) "questioned as a witness". Again, I had absolutely no reason to worry. Lo and behold, the seemingly innocent questioning turned into the beginning of a nightmare I have been living since then. I thought nothing of it when the detective reviewed a list of Miranda Rights. All I had to do was initial...no mention of me being arrested. Detective was slow to release details but made it very accusatory and I did what I was taught....told the truth!! I did not understand what I was there for, what the charge was, and THOUGHT I could be open & honest with him. Well, confidential statements against me were not revealed and it seemed they were going to nail me come heck or high water! The next thing I knew, I was being picked up by my parents at the jail. Everything happened so fast, I did know what the heck happened. Oh, that difficult decision?? Hah, would I risk more time by proclaiming innocence to a jury that would more than likely be biased, or.....plea guilty with less time? But wait a minute!! Innocent people don't go to prison, do they?? I was wrong again...they most certainly do. I guess $15,000 for a private attorney was enough to prove innocence. Would say, $250,000??? Someone please let me know what my parents needed to spend!!!
This system is so unfairly biased and I am living testimony to that fact. I am willing to speak up and be a voice for all who have been 'guided' to prison, those of us who are innocent.
To this day, I am still living that nightmare...over and over...and for what?? Telling the truth?? The truth is the child was molested year and years before I ever knew the family. I recently encountered the father of the alleged victim, and it was very pleasant. We spent about 45 minutes catching up on time lost (YES, the alleged victim's father and I) and not a harsh word was exchanged. He even asked me, "You know who was responsible for this, right?" That only proved my suspicions right (the truth I had told the Detectives, the truth they did not want to hear). WHY??? I was simply another notch under their belt and a bullet on the prosecutor's resume.
Why do I not have the right to clear my name and prove my innocence after a plea bargain. Didn't seem like a bargain to me.....I still went to prison!! A bargain for who, might I ask??
My last girlfriend of four years was understanding and I left her because she cheated on me. Since then, I have dated three women for about four months each and cannot bare to short-sell myself because of a crime I did not commit. Just want my life back.
I’m in my 30’s and not sure how much more I can take. I have constant migraines (I basically live on Excedrin Migraine). Anxiety ranks high and I worry about being single for the rest of my life.
I have a HUGE trust issue with counselors; they are paid by the state to tell you how sick you. I was forced to participate in a treatment program and listen to horrific accounts of abuse. That was just traumatizing; it still echoes in my head to this day. Certain sounds, smells and some authority drives me over the edge.
I am begging for people on this forum to help guide me as I DO NOT trust counselors!!!