245English
New Member
My Granddaughter was arrested on January 2 7, 2012 in Grove Hill, Alabama. She went to a friend's Mother's house about 12 hours before the Clarke County Sheriff's Department busted the home for manufacturing Methamphetamine. She was there with her children, ages 2 and 3 at that time. She was charged with 3 felonies, felony manufacturing and 2 counts of felony child endangerment, but she has never been indicted on these charges. Her first lawyer advised her to waive a preliminary trial and stated that the DA would present her charges to the Grand Jury when it met the first part of August, 2012. Her case was not presented and she is still sitting in Clarke County jail. Her attorney has decided to leave her legal practice and accept a Dean's position at a school. She has lost all rights to see her children and was not allowed to come to court for this preceding. She has missed another court date for child support and the case has been rescheduled. She has been advised by the court that if she fails to appear, that she will be held in contempt of court. Again, Clarke County ignored the summons. Her bail has been reduced from $120,000.00 to $90,000.00 and if she could make bail, she will be required to wear an ankle monitor at a cost of $400.00 a month. So, she remains in jail. She is going to receive a new attorney, as she cannot afford an attorney. She has never had an arrest as an adult but did have some minor problems as a juvenile. She has been locked up for 7 months. Her mother and I are only allowed to see her for 15 minutes on Wednesdays through a glass window and as both of us are working at low paying jobs to care for her children, we cannot afford to drive the hour and half there and then back. We want to communicate our concerns and advise to her regarding what she should and should not say or do. But as our calls are monitored and recorded, we cannot talk freely. It feels as if she has no voice to defend herself. It feels as if she has been found guilty without a trial. As Alabama does not have a set time frame to determine a speedy trial, it appears that Clarke County is just making money off of her and the DA is just wearing her down to get her to plead out. Since our jails are funded by the State per inmate they have in custody, it is just a pay day for them. What I need is some solid advice? How can I help this 21 year old woman, who was in the wrong place at the wrong time? If there is an Alabama defense attorney who believes they can help me understand what is within her rights, some direction to move in, I would be so very grateful to hear from you.
