When I was 18, I got myself involved with the wrong people. I was young and easily influenced. This ultimately led to me getting arrested for theft-related charges. I was sentenced to 8 years in the Department of Corrections, followed by 8 years of probation. Some would say that is a harsh sentence for an 18-year-old kid, but I believe it was a necessary wake-up call.

I made the most of my time incarcerated by getting my Certification in Paralegal Studies and working in the law library, helping others get their sentences overturned through appeals, file necessary motions with the courts, and guiding them through the confusing processes of our legal system. I served 6 years, 10 months on my 8-year sentence and was released in 2018 for good behavior.

Being 18 when I was arrested, I had no real-world experience. I didn't know about credit, paying rent, taxes, etc. I didn't know how to properly be an adult. I was just left to deal with it on my own, while also being on probation and expected to pay $700+ a month towards my restitution and court fees.

Fast forward to today and I have an incredible wife and 4 kids (6, 3, and 11-month-old twins). I have been on probation for 8 years. I have completed every condition of my probation without any hiccups. No curfew violations, no failed drug tests, no new charges, not even a speeding ticket. I have had no negative interactions with law enforcement.

Two months ago, I was hit with the devastating news that, although I have completed all other conditions of my probation, because I still owe money for my restitution and court costs, they would have to violate my probation. What this means is that because I haven't had the money to completely pay off my fines, the courts now have a new charge against me to which they can sentence me on. The courts have the ability to send the remaining fines that I owe to collections, or to place them as a civil lien against me, which would allow me to successfully terminate my probation while still maintaining my obligation to pay.

Yesterday I went to my court hearing for this situation. After dealing with this for 15 years, I fully expected all of this to finally be over with yesterday, but that wasn't the case. I wasn't asked why I still owe money, or why I haven't paid it down more. I wasn't asked about my home situation. I wasn't even given the opportunity to speak. If I was, I had my paystubs prepared to show the judge that I am literally living paycheck to paycheck, that I am raising 4 kids and that I had woken up that morning with $1.23 in my bank account after juggling $30 for the past week. I would have explained that there are days that my wife and I go without eating a meal because we don't have enough money to buy groceries for the kids and ourselves.

Instead, the judge asked the state attorney what her recommendation was, to which she responded, "38 months in the Department of Corrections." 3+ years in prison because I can't afford to pay, when there are other options that can keep me out of prison and in my kids' life. If I go to prison, my wife and kids are essentially being put out on the street because she can't afford rent, utilities, and the cost of raising 4 children all on her own.

So here I am, very humbly asking the community for help. Asking for you to help me stay in my kids' life. I have about 30 days to come up with $23,000, and I'm sure I won't raise all of that on here, but the more I can raise with a GoFundMe, the more chance I have at getting a loan for a lesser amount to make up the difference in what I owe. Anything helps, and I appreciate anyone and everyone who takes the time to read through this whole thing, whether you are able to contribute or not. Even a share can make the difference of another 1k+ people. Thank you, everybody!