Legal woes...

[xelnaga13]

About a year ago my boss at work go pregnant and went out of maternity leave, leaving an opening for her position. I looked like I would be up for a promotion, however it did not work out that way. Instead the owner decided to hire from outside the company.

I had dedicated about 3 years of my life to the company, sometimes going months with out a day off. I already wasn't making much money, the benefits sucked, and I always felt under appreciated. So this missed promotion was basically the last straw.

I couldn't afford to leave the job and go back to school, and I wasnt having any luck finding a new job. The new manager was terrible to me. She exploited my weaknesses, and undermined me at every turn. I began getting nasty emails from her and the owner about mistakes I was making. At one point they started making memos out of these emails, removing my name, and sending them to everyone in order to embaress me.  They were basically pushing me out of the company.

I refused to quit- knowing I would not get unemployment benefits. Then one day the owner made a surprise visit and fired me. Basically saying that I wasnt doing a good job and was not able to get along with others.

After losing the job I spiraled downward. At the time I saw it as evidence that I was a failure in life, and that once again society had kicked me to the curb... it dredged up a lot of underlying issues for me, including my insecurity about having aspergers.

With no friends, limited family contact, a small apt., no money to occupy myself with... I had limited outlets for my feelings.

Today I opened the mail and Im being charged with harassment, stalking, and disorderly conduct stemming for an allegation that I posted non threatening rude comments on facebook. I didnt think this was possible... I assumed as long as you dont email someone, or msg them, or threaten them you are covered by freedom of speech.

So now I have a great summer job, I have my health back, stopped drinking, had gyno surgery covered by insurance, was about to reenroll in college, finally got my family relationships back on track........ and have the law to deal with.

Ive been in trouble before... but I was younger then and could stomach court. Now Im older - and honestly scared. 

[HellandBack]

I salute you bro. Non threatening rude comments? What is this grade school? I have seen some crazy stuff on facebook when my cousin and his girl broke it off and i mean CRAZY, threats and all. Don't be scared of the law that's what they want. Seems petty just play it as such and keep living your life. O yea and i still can't believe u got surgery covered maaaan 

[xelnaga13]

I salute you bro. Non threatening rude comments? What is this grade school? I have seen some crazy stuff on facebook when my cousin and his girl broke it off and i mean CRAZY, threats and all. Don't be scared of the law that's what they want. Seems petty just play it as such and keep living your life. O yea and i still can't believe u got surgery covered maaaan 

Thanks brother. The comment in question was " Horseface". It broke the law because it caused " emotional distress" which is mis. harassment. However, when I looked up the legal def. of emotional distress it said that it was to be the result of "outrageous behavior and not insults" I couldn't believe the court papers when I read them.

The biggest issue for me is my relationships with my family. Whenever I screw up I get shunned by everyone. I mean no calls, texts, or emails.

Being dragged to court is very stressful. You really never know what a judge will do. The judge may throw it out, or he may look at it and say "wow this 26yr needs a wake up call".

First is the preliminary hearing in a month to decide whether it will go to trial . Typically they offer you lesser offenses... summaries would be great. If you can't agree, or they refuse to negotiate then it goes to trial .

[Chicago]

You actually have a summons to appear in court?

or did you get a threatening letter?

[xelnaga13]

You actually have a summons to appear in court?

or did you get a threatening letter?

Summons for court and I have to go to the police station to get finger printed.

[HellandBack]

Daaang bro that is crazy to me i can't comprehend why you would be summoned to court for that what will the judge say i am curious. Good luck bro let us know what ends up happening, hopefully the judge will dismiss the "name calling case". Whoever took it this far truely is a horseface 

[hammer]

It is with great sorrow that I bring you this news this morning gentlemen. Our first amendment right is slowly being ripped away from us day by day, and this is why I do not us face book or any other media like it, this one is it.

Freedom of religion is now freedom from religion, and growing up in the 60's I witnessed a lot of protest, but just today I got a YouTube forward to me about a law that was passed that makes it a fellony to protest in specific areas. I will add the link bellow.

Times are changing, and not better I might add. I am glad that I am older and sad to think that I have children and grandchildren that will not have a world that I grow up in!

youtube.com/watch?v=rRAt2LALqNw&feature=related

Bob aka Hammer

[xelnaga13]

Daaang bro that is crazy to me i can't comprehend why you would be summoned to court for that what will the judge say i am curious. Good luck bro let us know what ends up happening, hopefully the judge will dismiss the "name calling case". Whoever took it this far truely is a horseface 

I rent an apt. in a really nice town. The average house price on the street I live on is 1.6 million. Crime here is very rare; mostly duis. However, we have a huge police force for the town and another one for the borough. It's my belief that the cops have the fund and manpower to pursue cases that probably wouldn't be pursued in a smaller or less funded dept. That and the paper work states that the "horseface" met with the police every single time she suspected something was written by me.

From what I read 90% of charges stand at a preliminary hearing. So my options are pleaing out to summary offense or going to trial. Trial might be a good option because I don't know how they can possible prove beyond a reasonable doubt that I signed onto a certain screen name and that I entered the words.

[Paa_Paw]

I have lost a few jobs in my life, but the truth is that I never lost a job that was really worth having. I think you may now be in a position to apprediate this statement.

One freedom that we still have is to sue anyone for just about anything. This means that you can counter-sue the same people who are now suing you.

The only way you can defend against a charge of saying derogatory things would be to prove that you were simply stating the truth. This is a difficult up-hill battle since your exact statements are in a public forum. If you are not in a position to prove, then you might better try to negotiate. Either way, you need a lawyer. For the future remember the advice given Thumper by his mother. (In the movie Bambi.)

[xelnaga13]

I have lost a few jobs in my life, but the truth is that I never lost a job that was really worth having. I think you may now be in a position to apprediate this statement.

One freedom that we still have is to sue anyone for just about anything. This means that you can counter-sue the same people who are now suing you.

The only way you can defend against a charge of saying derogatory things would be to prove that you were simply stating the truth. This is a difficult up-hill battle since your exact statements are in a public forum. If you are not in a position to prove, then you might better try to negotiate. Either way, you need a lawyer. For the future remember the advice given Thumper by his mother. (In the movie Bambi.)

When I lost the job I thought it was really terrible news. However, it did lead to many positives. With my time off I was able to get gyno surgery, shoulder surgery, unemployment benefits, lose 10 percent bodyfat, make 2 good friends, quit drinking, spend time with family, get a low stress part time gig that really appreciates me, and hopefully reenroll in classes for fall.

In the past, when something didn't work out for me I would wallow in self pity and make a bad situation worse. This experience really reenforced the notion that " it's not what happens to you , it how you react to what happens to you".

[Chicago]

This really sounds like horse dung. Its worth fighting, with a lawyer. I mean, what else needs to be done other than show the US Constitution, Amendment #1.

 

[hammer]

It sounds like you made some lemon aid with the lemons that you received out of all this! This is a very good way to deal with bad things, congrats on the positive progress!

[Paa_Paw]

While slugging it out in court may seem like a good idea, It is not always the best way out. A friend of mine was sued a little over a year ago and he stood firm. Fortunately he did prevail and won the case. The win was costly though. The case dragged on for months and his total costs were a bit over $5,000. Winning cost him more than it would have cost him to concede.

[xelnaga13]

While slugging it out in court may seem like a good idea, It is not always the best way out. A friend of mine was sued a little over a year ago and he stood firm. Fortunately he did prevail and won the case. The win was costly though. The case dragged on for months and his total costs were a bit over $5,000. Winning cost him more than it would have cost him to concede.

If they offer me summery charges, ill plead guilty. Id rather plead guilty and pay a fine than to have this drag out for another several months. I just want to move on with my life.

[hammer]

I can understand moving on, however, by taking the plea I would want to check into what rights that would effect you in the future! If there is a felony charge you will lose the right to vote, own a gun, and more. I know that the cost to prove you are not at fault could be high but the plea could be higher in personal rights.

That being said, if it nothing more then a misdemeanor or gross misdemeanor, take it and run!