Prison Trivia

March 31 2022

10 Most Famous Inmates From San Quentin Prison

A person who had just been released from prison.

Published April 1, 2022

San Quentin State Prison is a well-known correctional facility located in the San Francisco Bay Area. With famous past and present inmates and a huge facility capable of housing up to 5,000 inmates.

San Quentin is home to California’s death row and gas chamber. With an estimated worth of more than $100 million, it has developed a reputation as one of the most respected and feared state prisons on the West Coast. Below are the San Quentin famous inmates.

10 San Quentin Famous Inmates

A big portion of San Quentin Prison’s popularity comes from its inmates with notable, if not controversial reputations. Here are ten San Quentin famous inmates who became household names in the US:

1. Harvey Murray Glatman (12/10/1927 – 9/18/1959)

Harvey Glatman was a late 1950s American serial killer. He used many aliases and pretended to be a professional photographer in order to entice his victims, promising them a modeling career.

2. Mack Ray Edwards (10/17/1918 – 10/30/1971)

Edwards was a serial killer in the United States. Between 1953 and 1970, he was responsible for the murders of at least six children in L.A. County, California. Sentenced to death, Edwards hanged himself in his cell.

3. Richard Trenton Chase (5/23/1950 – 12/26/1980)

Richard Chase was a serial killer in the United States who murdered six people in Sacramento, California, over the course of a month. He was dubbed “The Vampire of Sacramento” since he drank the blood of his victims and cannibalized their bodies.

4. Scott Lee Peterson (10/24/1972 – Present)

Scott Peterson is a convicted American murderer who is currently serving a life sentence on death row at San Quentin State Prison. In 2004, he was convicted in Modesto, California, of the first-degree murder of his pregnant wife and second-degree murder of their unborn son. In 2005 he was sentenced to death by lethal injection. His case is currently pending an automatic appeal to the California Supreme Court.

5. Richard Allen Davis (06/02/1954 – Present)

Richard Allen Davis is a convicted murderer in the United States whose criminal record inspired support of the “three-strikes law.” He is currently incarcerated at the San Quentin State Prison’s Adjustment Center on death row. In 1996, he was convicted of the first-degree murder of 12-year-old Polly Klaas.

6. Merle Ronald Haggard (04/06/1937 – 04/06/2016)

His childhood was difficult following his father’s death, and he was arrested multiple times during his youth. However, he turned his life around following his release from San Quentin Prison in 1960, launching a successful music career.

7. Sirhan Bishara Sirhan (03/19/1994)

Sirhan is a Palestinian holding Jordanian citizenship who mortally wounded US Senator Robert F. Kennedy on June 5, 1968; Kennedy died the next day. Sirhan was sentenced to life in prison after being convicted of murder.

8. Wallace Fard Muhammad (02/26/1877 – circa 1934)

Wallace Fard was the Nation of Islam’s founder. He arrived in Detroit in 1930 under an alias and preached an idiosyncratic brand of Islam to the city’s black population. Then, in 1934, he vanished from public view, and Elijah Muhammad became the Nation of Islam’s leader.

9. Stanley Tookie Williams III (12/29/1953 – 12/13/2005)

Stanley Williams was a gangster in the United States, well known as one of the Crip gang’s founders and leaders in Los Angeles, California. Williams was convicted and sentenced to death in 1979 for the murder of four individuals during two robberies.

10. Charles Milles Manson (11/12/1934 – 11/19/2017)

Last on the San Quentin famous inmates list, Charles Manson was a convicted criminal and cult leader in the United States. He founded the Manson Family in mid-1967. In July and August 1969, Manson’s followers conducted a sequence of nine murders in four locations. He was convicted in 1971 of murder and conspiracy to commit murder in connection with the deaths of seven people. Manson was initially sentenced to death but was reduced to life in prison without the possibility of parole in 1972. He died in late 2017 at the age of 83 after serving his life sentence.

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Krizzia Paolyn is a professional writer for GlobalTel

About The Author

Krizzia Paolyn is an SEO Specialist with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology. It has always been her passion to share her voice, and at the same time, to encourage other people to speak up.

March 17 2022

What You Should Say When Writing a Letter to a Judge

Judy Ponio Prison Trivia

Published March 18, 2022

If you’re a defendant in a trial, writing a letter to a judge might help you have a lighter sentence. However, you should know that communicating with a judge outside the court is against the court system.

There are instances that your lawyer might allow you to write a letter to a judge. But, it’s best to talk to your criminal defense lawyer first to know if there’s a chance that a letter will help your case.

If your criminal defense attorney permits you to do so, here are some tips on what you should say when writing a letter to a judge.

Write Professionally

When writing a letter to a judge, you should write in a business format. Use formal fonts and formal words. Remember that you are talking to a professional, not to a friend. You may check out a sample letter with a business format and time on the internet.

Address The Judge By Her Correct Name

The first step is to address the letter to the correct name of the judge. Not putting the appropriate name of the judge might show rudeness. You might also seem that you’re not sincere because you did not even put an effort to know the name of the judge.

Accept Responsibility And Show Regret

Your primary purpose when writing a letter to the judge is to ask for a lighter sentence. So, it’s best to admit that what you did was wrong and show remorse and regret about it.

For instance, you can write that you are guilty and not proud of what you’ve done to the victim.

The letter should also be telling the judge that you are sincere and truthful. In this way, there’s a big chance that they will be swayed with your words and be more lenient with you.

A judge reading a letter from a defendant

State The Purpose Of Why You Are Writing

The judge should know why you are writing a letter in the first place. Do you want a lighter sentence? Do you want a lesser fine? You should include it in your letter.

For example, you can write that your family depends on you. Lengthier jail time will affect them emotionally and financially. It can also result in job loss and loss of income. All these can affect you, your family, and everyone around you.

Include Other Arrests Or Crimes

It’s to your advantage if this is your first offense. However, if you have previous convictions, you should convince the judge that you’ve already overcome the issue and you’re no longer a risk of re-offending.

State Example Of Your Good Deeds

Another thing that you can include in your letter is an example of your previous good deeds — this makes it like a character reference letter. If you’re a member of an organization or do charity work, then you can let the judge know through your letter.

This can help the judge have an impression of how capable you are of living as a good person.

Thank The Judge

Lastly, it would help to thank the judge for taking the time to read your letter. You can also include that you’re hoping for lenient sentencing and then sign the letter with your name.

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About The Author

Krizzia Paolyn is an SEO Specialist with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology. It has always been her passion to share her voice, and at the same time, to encourage other people to speak up.

December 19 2021

What Are The Most Common Felonies In The US

Judy Ponio Prison Trivia

a felon getting arrested by two police officers

Published Dec 19, 2021

If you know someone charged with a felony crime or if you are only curious about the felony charges in the US, then you are in the right place. Below is the discussion about some of the common felonies in the US.

What is a Felony?

Felony crimes are more severe than misdemeanor charges. It can be both nonviolent or violent unlawful acts and are usually punishable by prison time and hefty fines.

These types of crimes always have a heavier sentence than a misdemeanor because felonies can have a massive impact on public safety. Let’s look at the most common felonies in the United States this 2021 as per Statista.

The Most Common Felonies in the US

Property crime – 6,452,038
Larceny-theft – 4,606,324
Violent crime – 1,313,105
Burglary – 1,035,314
Aggravated assault – 921,505
Motor vehicle theft – 810,400
Robbery – 243,600
Rape – 126,430
Murder and nonnegligent manslaughter – 21,570

Different Classifications of Felony Charges

Class 1 Felony:

This is the most serious charge that has a penalty that ranges from a minimum of life prison and a maximum of a death sentence.

Class 2 Felony:

Has a penalty of twenty years minimum of imprisonment and a maximum of life in prison.

Class 3 Felony:

Has a penalty of five to twenty years of imprisonment.

Class 4 Felony:

Has a penalty of two to ten years of imprisonment.

Class 5 Felony:

Has a penalty of one to ten years of imprisonment.

These are the general punishment of felony charges. However, the state can impose additional jail time and fines, or sometimes, both.

What To Do With A Felony Charge

When charged with a felony crime, it’s best to seek help from a criminal defense lawyer. Felony charges can keep you from getting a job, can result in jail time, and, if serious enough, it can cost you your life.

Note: Property crime was the most common sort of crime committed in the United States in 2020, accounting for 6.45 million reported incidents. During the same year, 1.31 million incidents of violent crime occurred, including 921,505 instances of aggravated assault.

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About The Author

Krizzia Paolyn is an SEO Specialist with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology. It has always been her passion to share her voice, and at the same time, to encourage other people to speak up.

November 28 2021

Difference Between a Jail and a Prison

Judy Ponio Prison Life, Prison News, Prison Trivia

Published Nov 28, 2021

While the terms “jail” and “prison” are frequently used interchangeably, they serve distinct purposes. The key difference between jail and prison is that jails are designed for short sentences and temporary confinement, whereas prisons are intended for felony sentences exceeding one year.

Understanding What Jails Are

County governments generally operate jails under the jurisdiction of the county sheriff. They are designed for shorter stays and serve a smaller population than prisons. Additionally, smaller detention facilities are still classified as jails and are operated by municipal governments. These facilities are used to detain individuals for a few hours or days before transferring to a larger jail.

Prisons house two distinct populations at any given time. The first category includes individuals convicted of relatively minor offenses such as misdemeanors or probation violations. The second group consists of innocent individuals. A sizable proportion of those imprisoned are in the pre-trial stage and have been either denied bail or are unable to pay. These individuals may have no prior convictions, depending on the severity of their charge.

Since the 1980s, the proportion of pre-trial detainees in the jail population has increased. The proportion used to be around 50% but has since grown to approximately 75%.

Understanding What Prisons Are

Prisons are for those who have been convicted of felonies. Although a jail sentence is possible for more minor felonies, a prison sentence is a norm. Prisons are typically much larger than jails and are run by the state or federal government. Certain prisons are privately run. Arizona has sixteen prisons, six of which are privately owned.

While prisons are not pleasant places, they provide additional services to their residents. They offer a range of educational opportunities, including GED classes. Although it may seem counterintuitive, inmates have greater freedom of movement within prisons. They are assigned tasks and allotted time in a large, outdoor yard.

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A solitary confinement where unruly inmates are being sent to

Difference Between Jail and Prison

Prison is defined as “a place of confinement reserved for lawbreakers,” while jail is defined as “a place of confinement reserved for persons held in lawful custody.” Many people believe that each of these terms has a distinct meaning and should never be used interchangeably.

Issues with Jails

Since jails are designed for shorter stays, they typically have fewer services than a standard prison. Inmates have complained about insufficient medical care, a lack of nutritional food, and inappropriate movement restrictions, such as a lack of access to exercise. Individuals with a criminal history or those who anticipate conviction may be compelled to accept a plea in order to avoid being sentenced to prison. This desire to exit jail as quickly as possible may result in an inmate accepting a plea deal that is less than favorable to him or her.

Another serious issue with jails and their conditions is that they detain innocent people. While it may be necessary to detain someone before conviction in certain circumstances, the presumption of innocence means that they cannot be punished until their guilt is established. The inhumane conditions in jail act as a form of punishment. This is one of the reasons why having an attorney present at a bond hearing can be so beneficial. It can mean the difference between being released before trial and being forced to serve months in jail.

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About The Author

Krizzia Paolyn is an SEO Specialist with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology. It has always been her passion to share her voice, and at the same time, to encourage other people to speak up.

November 21 2021

Joe Guerrero: From Prison to YouTube Sensation

Judy Ponio Prison Life, Prison Trivia

A screenshot of the AfterPrisonShow by Joe Guerrero on Youtube.

Published Nov 21, 2021

When we think about the prisoners, we often assume that no more opportunity will knock on their doors once they get out of prison. Most people believe that there’s a lot of chance that former inmates will go back to jail.

To be honest, that is somehow true. Many surveys and studies show that the rate of recidivism in the US is high. But not all former inmates have the same fate.

Joe Guerrero, the creator of the “AfterPrisonShow” on YouTube, used to be a prisoner for more than seven years. He was charged with non-violent drug offenses and arrested on December 20th of 1998.

He didn’t care what would happen to him; he didn’t even care if he died. He was caught with drugs and illegal firearms. For him, he was already a lost cause.

Until he realized that nobody cared if he would die. This is what Joe has to say when he finally came to his senses:

“Wouldn’t it be the worst damn thing in the world, if people thought this was the best for me… for someone who had been nothing… except a burden, and a constant failure.”

That’s when he started changing his life. He wants to live a new life once he goes out of jail. That’s why after his release, all he did was try several things that he thought could change his fate.

Before his fame, he tried applying for several jobs where he never got hired because of his records.

He said that this is the main reason why other ex-convicts return to committing a crime again. But for him, this is not a reason to give up. Quitting is not an option anymore.

He tried to shoot videos of himself whenever he went out to apply for a job. He aimed to show how hard life can be once a prisoner returns to society.

All the videos he uploaded weren’t noticed until he uploaded a tutorial video about making a jail-house tattoo gun.

He didn’t expect that that video would blow up. At first, it started as 2,000 views only within the first week of uploading the video. Then it began to grow, and now he already has millions of subscribers to his channel.

When he started to have lots of viewers, he then created the AfterPrisonShow, in which he details what it’s like inside a prison.

He now has 700 videos on his channel, and most of its purpose is to help those struggling with incarceration.

He wanted others not to lose hope, the same thing he didn’t do. He wanted to let everyone know how he, a former inmate, once lost, juggled his way up to rise and change his fate.

How Joe Guerrero Found Success On YouTube

YouTube is an excellent chance for people of many backgrounds, as YouTuber Joe Guerrero discovered. Guerrero was in the terrible but not uncommon position of being free but unemployed following a seven-year sentence, but he had a purpose when he was released. He desired to recount his life as a cautionary tale.

Here are some of the reasons why his show, After Prison Show, gained popularity.

1. He is unapologetically honest

Guerrero’s life behind bars is anything but idyllic. However, the challenges and hardships he endured while serving his term shaped him as a person, and he does not attempt to disguise this fact.

While each story he recounts is fascinating, they are all true. Not all stories portray him positively, but that only adds to their value and makes him easier to trust.

2. He possesses a sense of humor

While telling jokes during his vlog is not always suitable, when it is, he bombards the viewer with his brand of dark comedy. It lightens the tone in videos that could otherwise be tedious to binge on.

He obviously possesses the ability to do so, as evidenced by the contrast between his lighter videos and his heavier ones.

3. He never runs out of topics to discuss

When someone has had a life similar to Guerrero’s, marked by difficulty and low points, the bright side is that they frequently have many experiences worth sharing. He uploads a video practically daily, and each one is distinct yet familiar.

He primarily discusses his time behind the prison, but it’s fascinating when he discusses his current life and the problems he continues to face.

4. He is very informative

Another silver lining to his ordeal is that he has a wealth of knowledge about prison culture and standards to impart. In addition, he moved between institutions and has a unique viewpoint on the system that is beneficial to anyone who has a family member or friend who is incarcerated or is simply curious about the justice system.

He is critical and opinionated, but he clearly distinguishes between this and the facts about how things work, which perhaps makes his channel informative.

Overall

Guerrero provides what people desire: a unique perspective. He attracts an audience with his wit and candor. Sometimes, all it takes to succeed on YouTube is to be open and candid about your life.

An inmate holding on to the prison bars.

Before his fame, he tried applying for several jobs where he never got hired because of his records.

He said that this is the main reason why other ex-convicts return to committing a crime again. But for him, this is not a reason to give up. Quitting is not an option anymore.

He tried to shoot videos of himself whenever he went out to apply for a job. He aimed to show how hard life can be once a prisoner returns to society.

All the videos that he uploaded weren’t noticed until he uploaded a tutorial video about making a jail-house tattoo gun.

He didn’t expect that that video would blow up. At first, it started as 2,000 views only within the first week from uploading the video. Then it started to grow and now he already has millions of subscribers to his channel.

When he started to have lots of viewers, he then created the AfterPrisonShow, in which he details what it’s like inside a prison. (Related: How to Survive Prison: Survival Tips From Former Inmates)

He now has 700 videos in his channel, and most of its purpose is to help those people who are struggling with incarceration.

He wants others not to lose hope, the same thing he didn’t do. He wants to let everyone know how he, a former inmate, once lost, juggled his way up to rise and changed his fate. (Related: How a Convicted Felon Became a Triathlon Champion)

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About The Author

Krizzia Paolyn is an SEO Specialist with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology. It has always been her passion to share her voice, and at the same time, to encourage other people to speak up.

November 15 2021

Abandoned Prisons in the US You Can Visit

Judy Ponio Prison Life, Prison Trivia

The ruins of an abandoned prison in the US.

Published Nov 15, 2021

Inmates come and go, and apparently, so do prisons. Through the years, many facilities have gone out of use and been replaced by new ones.

There are a lot of reasons why a prison facility would be closed. Some prisons were closed for their inhumane treatment of inmates. Others were simply too old and unsafe for human habitation.

Going through the halls of these prisons can be a surreal experience. But, though they’ve become museums, you can still find some trinkets that remind you of all the lives altered inside them. The hopes, the dreams, and the lives that perished within its walls. They also give you an idea of how incarceration in the country has changed over the years.

Here are seven abandoned prisons in the US that you definitely need to visit:

1. ALCATRAZ FEDERAL PENITENTIARY

Built on an island off the coast of California, this facility is dubbed to be inescapable. Yet, in June 1962, three inmates escaped the island by sailing in a makeshift raft. Whether they safely made it to land is still unknown to this day.

During its heyday, Alcatraz was known to be the world’s most notorious prison. Well-known prisoners like Al Kapone and Mickey Cohen had once roamed its walls. It operated for 29 years, eventually closing on March 21, 1963, due to a combination of high maintenance costs and poor reputation.

2. EASTERN STATE PENITENTIARY

If you’re an avid fan of horror documentaries, then this prison would be familiar to you. Built in 1829, the Eastern State Penitentiary is famous for its solitary confinement. Inmates were kept in solitude at all times. Even when they had to leave their cells, the guard would put a cover over their heads. Because of overcrowding and reports of inhumane treatments, it was abandoned in 1971. Since then, various reports of paranormal activities inside it have also emerged. (Related: 10 Most Haunted Prisons and Jails in the US)

3. OHIO STATE REFORMATORY

Opening in 1986, the prison was closed 90 years later due to a class-action lawsuit filed by prisoners citing brutal and inhuman conditions. Most of the movie Shawshank Redemption scenes were filmed here, which made it a famous tourist destination. Like most prison museums, it holds various tourism events throughout the year.

4. OLD IDAHO PENITENTIARY

Built by inmates in 1872, this historical prison, considered one of the abandoned prisons in the US, remained operational for 101 years. Idaho was not yet a state when it was first opened. During its more than a decade of operation, it has hosted 13,000 inmates, 215 of them were women, including Lyda Southard. She is best known as Lady Bluebeard, a serial killer famous for murdering her five husbands to collect on their life insurance.

Several serious riots took place inside it in the early part of the ’70s over poor living conditions. This led to the prison’s closure in 1973. They then transferred the remaining inmates to the new Idaho State Correctional Institution. The site is now a museum, and a botanical garden flocked by tourists wanting to learn more about the state’s incarceration history.

The front facade of Old Idaho State Penitentiary, one of the abandoned prisons in the US you can visit.

Image Source: Wikimedia

5. YUMA TERRITORIAL PRISON

Even though it only operated for 33 years, the Yuma Territorial Prison is one of Arizona’s most notable tourist sites. Opening in 1876 (well before Arizona became a state), it has housed up to 3,069 prisoners until 1909. Some of its most notable inmates were Mexican revolutionary Ricardo Flores Magon and train robber Burt Alvord. The museum has appeared in various movies and TV shows as well as books and plays.

6. WYOMING FRONTIER PRISON

When the Wyoming Frontier Prison, one of the abandoned prisons in the US you can visit, first opened in 1901, it only had 104 cells with no running water or heating system. Considering Wyoming’s weather, inmates surely had a hard time. Like most of its contemporaries, the facility has a dungeon for erring inmates. The most prominent feature of which is the “whipping pole,” where prisoners are handcuffed and whipped with rubber hoses.

The prison also had its own share of gruesome history. It used to have a “death house” for inmates on death row. Apart from the gallows, the prison also added a gas chamber to its methods of execution. A total of nine inmates were hanged, while five others lost their lives in the gas chamber.

After more than 80 years of housing inmates, it closed in 1987 due to structural damages after a low-budget movie was filmed on location. It is now listed in the National Registry of Historic Places and receives about 15,000 visitors annually.

7. WEST VIRGINIA PENITENTIARY

An imposing stone structure built in the Gothic architectural style, West Virginia Penitentiary looks more like a castle than a prison. Equally interesting is its 119-year history of housing accused and convicted criminals.

At some point during its operation, it was listed as one of the Top Ten Most Violent Correctional Facilities in the US. The facility has also executed 94 inmates throughout its history. Eighty-five were hanged while the rest were electrocuted. The original electric chair is still on display and included during official tours.

8. MISSOURI STATE PENITENTIARY

Missouri’s infamous maximum-security prison, characterized by Time magazine as “the bloodiest 47 acres in America,” was the state’s oldest continuously operational jail west of the Mississippi. Between 1836 and 2004, when the prison was ultimately decommissioned, there were riots, escapes, brutal attacks, and executions. In 1937, the state enacted a measure authorizing deadly gas executions. Until capital punishment detainees were relocated to a new jail, a total of 40 men and women were executed in the gas chamber here.

9. POTTAWATTAMIE SQUIRREL CAGE JAIL

Once known as Pottawattamie County Jail (a newer, still-operational facility currently stands in its place), this historic Iowa prison is one of the few remaining instances of a ‘squirrel cage’ jail — so nicknamed for its archaic revolving jail cells shaped like a turntable. The innovative design enabled a jailer to spin the three-story block with a hand crank, shifting the pie-shaped cells and occupants.

10. WYOMING TERRITORIAL PRISON

Butch Cassidy, the notorious outlaw, was one of the ‘wild west’ offenders imprisoned within the stone walls of Wyoming Territorial Prison, which started as a federal facility in 1872 and became the state penitentiary in 1890. It was dubbed ‘the big house across the river,’ even though individuals who lived there were not exactly made to feel at home due to the harsh surroundings. Striped-uniformed detainees were obliged to remain silent at all times and perform hard labor.

(Related: 10 Famous Prisons That Left a Mark in History)

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About The Author

Krizzia Paolyn is an SEO Specialist with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology. It has always been her passion to share her voice, and at the same time, to encourage other people to speak up.

October 10 2021

How To Find Out If The Police Are Investigating You

Judy Ponio Prison Trivia

two detectives conducting an investigation

Published Oct 10, 2021

If you’ve ever watched a police procedural on television, you’ve seen investigators conduct criminal investigations. While real life differs significantly from fiction in numerous ways, criminal investigations occur on a daily basis. So, how to tell if the police are investigating you?

Criminal investigations take a variety of forms. However, if you see any of the following, you may need to consult a lawyer:

1. You have committed an offense

In general, investigators do not conduct investigations for the purpose of conducting investigations. If you have committed an unlawful act, such as embezzling funds from your company, your behavior may eventually be discovered. If someone alerts the authorities, you may almost certainly expect an investigator to initiate an investigation into your activities.

2. You have become aware of unusual activity

Oftentimes, investigators must amass a large amount of evidence in order to solve a crime. If you spot suspicious vehicles parked near your home, receive strange phone calls, or have unknown individuals contact you via social media, you may be the focus of a criminal investigation.

3. You have received an information request

When establishing a case, criminal investigators often comb through a range of records. Additionally, they may collaborate with banks, educational institutions, and employers to ascertain facts. If you receive an unusual request for information, an investigator may be attempting to bring criminal charges against you.

4. You are informed by an investigator

Finally, arguably the most obvious indication that you are under investigation is when an investigator notifies you. This, however, may take a variety of shapes. Officers may request that you submit to questioning. Alternatively, someone may pay a visit to your home or place of business and ask you questions. While the Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution protects you against self-incrimination, you may become the subject of a criminal investigation if investigators communicate with you.

If you believe you are being investigated for a crime, you may experience a range of emotions. However, you should not let paranoia prevent you from taking the essential efforts to safeguard your legal rights and interests.

THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW WHEN YOU FOUND OUT THE POLICE ARE INVESTIGATING YOU

Once you receive anything mentioned above, it’s essential to be cautious and know what to do next.

Here are some things you should know to help you on what you should do next when police are investigating you.

CREDIBILITY DOESN’T MATTER

Whether you have previous criminal records or not, it doesn’t matter. The prosecutors will still look at the evidence and see what they can prove. But, your credibility somehow affects how your case will be decided.

For instance, if you’re a law-abiding citizen, then your sentence will be more likely in minimum.

Your credibility won’t help to determine whether you’re guilty or innocent. However, it will affect how you will be treated once you’re found guilty.

DO NOT SPEAK TO THE POLICE WITHOUT A LAWYER

Talking to the police or with the feds without a lawyer is a big no. It would be best if you don’t do that. You have the right to remain silent, so use that to your advantage.

If police went to your house and ask you questions, odds are they don’t have strong evidence against you yet. Remember that, the grand jury only has strong evidence against you once you receive a target letter.

So if they want to arrest you, they would’ve done that already. But police can’t unless you’re proven guilty. They are only trying to get information out of you, which can be used later against you.

Therefore, it’s better to speak to a lawyer first and seek legal advice.

POLICE LIES

Yes. Police do lie. In fact, they’re allowed to. Police officers will often tell you lies to get information out of you.

For instance, they may tell that your partner in crime already confessed and is pointing out the crime to you. Which you might end up explaining that you’re only at the scene of the crime but did not do it. So there, the police got the information out of you.

a defendant being interrogated by a police

However, even if the police can lie during the prosecution, you, on the other hand, cannot. If you lie to the police, you can be charged for perjury or obstruction of justice.

It’s better if you remain silent and ask for a lawyer instead.

YOU’RE NOT OBLIGED TO MEET WITH A POLICE

When you receive a letter or an invitation from the police asking you to come over and talk, you can decline it if you want to. You are not obliged to meet with the police unless you receive a target letter.

You can talk to a lawyer first before talking to the police and cooperate with their investigation. Again, anything you say can be used against you, so it’s better to remain silent first.

These are a few things to keep in mind on how to tell if the police are investigating you. The main important thing here is that it’s better to speak to a lawyer first before you do anything else.

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About The Author

Krizzia Paolyn is an SEO Specialist with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology. It has always been her passion to share her voice, and at the same time, to encourage other people to speak up.

August 1 2021

Do You Really Have to Answer Police Questions?

Judy Ponio Prison Trivia

Published Aug 1, 2021

A frequently asked question is if you are required to speak with the officers if you are stopped. The Supreme Court has ruled that you must provide your name when requested, but there is no requirement to provide anything other than that. You can even say, “I don’t answer questions, police officer,” just to give them a hint that you are aware of your rights. There are several nuanced aspects to situational exchanges with officers, which we will discuss in greater detail below.

Remember Your Rights

You’ve probably seen this scene numerous times on television’s police procedural shows. A police officer is expected to inform a suspect of his or her rights, which include the right to stay silent and the right to hire a lawyer.

If you are ever stopped by the police, keep in mind that if you have not committed a crime at that exact time, you have the right to stay silent and not answer any of the officer’s questions other than your name. However, a police officer may approach you casually and invite you to come over and speak with them.

To discover whether you have committed a crime, all you need to say is, “pardon me, police officer, have I done anything wrong?” At this point, the police should explain why they stopped you, and you can determine whether or not you’re in any trouble. You can follow up with the query, “am I free to leave?” to point out that you do not want to talk to the police officer unless they have a search warrant.

Provide Only Basic Information

When providing information to a police officer, you should be brief and direct. Make no attempt to provide any information beyond what is requested. Any lie on your side (which the officer can verify) will result in you uttering falsifications and being arrested. Although you have the right to remain silent if you have not committed a crime, providing the police officer with some basic information can sometimes help a particular situation. This may involve the following:

Name
Address with details of your current living situation (you may include who you live with, for instance)
Reason for being out and where your destination is

Never Lie or Give False Information to Authorities

You can turn from an innocent person to a criminal in a single second by simply answering an officer’s questions. However, the most dangerous thing you can do when speaking with the authorities is to tell them a lie. If you are not truthful to a police officer, the act of lying implies that you have committed a crime, providing the officer with a justification to arrest you.

Ultimately, it is preferable that you remain silent rather than giving them a reason to arrest you. Take note that lying to a police officer is quite difficult. If you lie to a regular citizen, they will generally assume you are telling the truth and will not ask any follow-up inquiries to ascertain the authenticity of your statement. Lying to an officer is far more difficult due to their training in dealing with lies.

The police are often distrustful of people who claim to be telling the truth.
Occasionally, the police will have access to corroborating witnesses who can attest to the authenticity of your statements.
The police are authoritarian and unpleasant as a result of their training. Additionally, they will employ psychological tactics that you may overlook when interrogating you to elicit more information than you are willing to share.
They will occasionally intrude on your personal space, possibly even prodding you with a finger, in an attempt to emotionally scare you into thinking less clearly.
Lastly, the police have the time and resources necessary to verify anything you say. This could include your associates’ addresses and phone numbers, as well as your criminal record. They can also coerce people into lying by pressing them into running and physically resisting arrest. This is another method through which police officers can convert a citizen into a prisoner.

So do you really have to answer police officers’ questions?

No. You are never required to answer police questions about your movements, your previous whereabouts, what you’re doing, or what you’ve done, and it’s almost always dangerous to do this without first consulting a lawyer. Remember that they cannot arrest you by refusing to answer.

Understand your rights if you are pulled over by the police. If you are questioned by the authorities in the United States, you have the right to exercise your Fifth Amendment right to remain silent and Sixth Amendment right to counsel.

As a rule of thumb, if you are detained, you must provide a truthful identification, and the only acceptable response to a police question is: “I want my lawyer” or “I don’t answer questions, police officer.” While they may ask follow-up questions and make it look as though you are obligated to respond, you are not and, in most situations, should not. If you intend to exercise your right to silence, inform the officer aloud and then—do so!

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About The Author

Krizzia Paolyn is an SEO Specialist with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology. It has always been her passion to share her voice, and at the same time, to encourage other people to speak up.

July 25 2021

How to Reduce a Shoplifting Fine

Judy Ponio Prison Trivia

Published July 25, 2021

While shoplifting incidents are relatively common, this does not mean they are not taken seriously. Every state’s penal (criminal) code contains rules relating to shoplifting (often grouped under the umbrella of theft or larceny statutes). Moreover, the shoplifting fine can be severe—especially when the product is expensive or the perpetrator has an existing criminal record.

This article discusses shoplifting in general, the types of acts that constitute shoplifting, how shoplifting is prosecuted, and when shoplifters can be sued under civil liability laws.

Understanding What Shoplifting Is

Usually, shoplifting is described as the act of taking items from a retailer without paying for them. However, successfully evading payment for products is not the only way of committing a shoplifting crime. In some instances, the plan to steal combined with an act to pursue that desire may result in criminal charges for stealing or retail fraud. A shoplifting-related action could involve the following:

price tag altering
removing (or even attempting to remove) anti-theft devices or security tags
concealing or hiding an item inside you while still in the store –– hiding things in your pocket or purse
removing an item from its packaging and keeping it in or among other products

Factors That Affects A Shoplifting Case

Your age can significantly affect your case. The judge can be more merciful to you if you’re younger.

Prior Convictions

Your criminal history will also affect the decision of the judge. If you have prior convictions, the chances are high that even a plea bargain deal won’t be offered to you.

The Item You Stole

The item that you stole can also interfere with the judge’s decision. In this instance, the judge might be more lenient if you were caught stealing food for your baby than taking cosmetics or anything just for fun.

The Value Of The Stolen Item

Your case may be treated differently depending on the value of the object that you stole. For instance, a $30 item has lower charges than stealing $500 worth of an item.

How Shoplifting Is Prosecuted and Penalized

In many places, shoplifting is prosecuted and penalized as a theft or larceny offense—typically as petty or misdemeanor theft, if the value of the item stolen, is less than a specified amount (for instance, $200). Other states distinguish between shoplifting and general theft for charging and sentencing purposes, and some penalize shoplifting less severely than other theft charges.

In Massachusetts, for example, a first or second offense of shoplifting items valued under $250 involves a monetary punishment only. However, the lowest category of larceny (theft) carries a maximum sentence of one year in prison for taking the same amount. (Massachusetts General Laws ch. 266, sections 30, 30A (2020).)

As the monetary worth of the stolen items increases, the severity of the criminal charge that will come from a shoplifting offense increases accordingly. Penalties may begin as infractions and progress to misdemeanors or felonies in some states. Each state utilizes a separate set of criteria (monetary values) to categorize offenses.

Defining Shoplifting “Sprees” and Retail Theft Rings

In many places, a person caught with shoplifting will be charged with a more serious crime (and/or face heavier penalties) if there is evidence that the conduct was part of a shoplifting “spree” or systematic sequence of thefts from retail outlets. These schemes are referred to in some states as “retail theft rings” or “organized retail theft,” mainly when they involve the illegal resale of stolen products. Generally, these are felonies.

Shoplifting Civil Liability

Along with any criminal penalties associated with stealing, each state has a civil law that allows someone who commits shoplifting to be held civilly liable to the store owner (or the owner of the product) for monetary damages resulting from the incident.

Additionally, in almost every state, the parents or legal guardians of minors who shoplift may be liable for monetary damages (although a few jurisdictions require that parents or guardians know or should have been aware of the minors’ tendency toward stealing). When parents or legal guardians are liable for damages, some states reduce the amount of the penalty that parents or minors must pay (compared to adult shoplifters). Certain states absolve foster parents of obligation.

A man gets arrested after caught shoplifting

What is the difference between Criminal and Civil courts?

Generally, a government prosecutor charges a suspect with a crime. The proceedings take place in a criminal court, and the punishments may include jail, fines, or a combination of the two. Generally, criminal defendants who cannot afford an attorney have a right to a public defender (or court-appointed attorney). Theft, assault, burglary, and murder are all examples of criminal charges.

In civil court, a dispute between two private parties is litigated. The party who has been wronged (plaintiff) files a lawsuit against the party who is alleged to be at fault (defendant). Moreover, there is no right to a public defender or court-appointed attorney. If the defendant loses the case, the successful party is typically awarded monetary damages. Civil court cases include claims for medical malpractice, breach of contract, and personal harm.

Numerous civil shoplifting laws require the store owner to issue a formal demand for payment prior to filing a civil complaint. Additionally, in most jurisdictions, a civil lawsuit may be pursued regardless of whether criminal charges are filed in connection with the shoplifting event.

While each state’s civil shoplifting law is unique, common financial liability for shoplifting includes the payment or repayment of the following:

the total retail value of the item stolen (if it is not in a sellable condition when returned)
the store owner’s other financial losses as a result of the theft
an additional civil penalty, typically based on a formula that includes the value of the product stolen, and
repayment of the store or product owner’s expenses (court and attorney fees)

Ways to Get Shoplifting Charges Dropped

Developing a shoplifting defense strategy is critical to obtaining a dismissal or reduction of your charge. The defenses that you may choose to assert will vary according to the facts of your case. However, some of the more prevalent defenses include the following:

The investigation and evidence presented are unreliable
One’s knowledge and mental state
Identity is mistaken for someone else
You were present when the crime happened, but you didn’t do it
Constitutional legal challenges, like Miranda Violations
Value of the stolen item
Diversion agreements
Misdemeanor compromise

It’s a fact that you can pay a shoplifting fine to get your ticket off of your criminal record. But, getting rid of it is much higher than pleading guilty and paying a fine.

However, a shoplifting conviction can’t be expunged from your criminal record. If you have a prior conviction, most likely, you will find it hard to get a decent job in the future. Even applying for a scholarship for your college might get you rejected.

The best thing to do is find a criminal defense lawyer that can help you lower your charges or totally dismiss your case. In some cases, a good lawyer will do all the work for you without you having to appear in court.

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About The Author

Krizzia Paolyn is an SEO Specialist with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology. It has always been her passion to share her voice, and at the same time, to encourage other people to speak up.

July 21 2021

5 Best Books About Prison and the Life Inside

Judy Ponio Prison Life, Prison News, Prison Trivia

Published July 12, 2021

Books about prison are frequently among the most popular reading choices for people incarcerated. Howard Marks, who died of illness, authored a genre classic with his book Mr Nice. It details Marks’ international drug smuggling activities and his seven years inside prison in the United States when it was first published in 1996. Mr Nice has now become one of the most frequently borrowed books from prison libraries. The following five below are among the most borrowed prison books:

1. Jack Henry Abbott’s In the Belly of the Beast: Letters from Prison

“We are all so guilty at the way we have allowed the world around us to become more ugly and tasteless every year that we surrender to terror and steep ourselves in it.”

― Norman Mailer, In the Belly of the Beast: Letters From Prison

“I would never say, to justify a lapse in principle, “I am only human”–as though that were some kind of justification for weakness, moral weakness. Flesh and blood is much, much stronger than fools believe.”

― Jack Henry Abbott, In the Belly of the Beast: Letters From Prison

“The only time they appear human is when you have a knife at their throats. The instant you remove it, they fall back into animality. Obscenity.”

― Jack Henry Abbott, In the Belly of the Beast: Letters From Prison

This book came about due to Abbott’s letter addressed to author Norman Mailer while Mailer was conducting research on serial killer Gary Gilmore. Abbott’s correspondence with Mailer constituted the basis for this book. His prose is hypnotic in its power.

Abbott’s life, from his upbringing in reformatory homes through his imprisonment for murder in 1965 at the age of 21, is transformed into a beautiful tragedy. It is exacerbated by the fact that he murdered again six weeks after his 1981 parole. His explanation of the prisoner hierarchy’s dynamics demonstrates how pervasive the repercussions of incarceration can be.

2. Michel Foucault’s Discipline and Punish: The Birth of the Prison

“The ‘Enlightenment’, which discovered the liberties, also invented the disciplines.”

― Michel Foucault, Discipline and Punish: The Birth of the Prison

“There is no power relation without the correlative constitution of a field of knowledge, nor any knowledge that does not presuppose and constitute at the same time power relations.”

― Michel Foucault, Discipline and Punish: The Birth of the Prison

“Discipline ‘makes’ individuals; it is the specific technique of a power that regards individuals both as objects and as instruments of its exercise. It is not a triumphant power…it is a modest, suspicious power, which functions as a calculated, but permanent economy.”

― Michel Foucault, Discipline and Punish: The Birth of the Prison

To better understand the philosophy underlying modern prisons, Discipline and Punish is recommended, a historical examination of the transition from corporal punishment and torture to today’s ostensibly more “enlightened” incarceration system.

Foucault challenges the notion that modern federal prisons are humane, arguing that reformers have instead constructed a “carceral network” that spreads to all spheres of society (including schools, corporations, and the military) and disempowers individuals while imposing social standards.

3. Naomi Murakawa’s The First Civil Right: How Liberals Built Prison America

“If the problem of the twentieth century was, in W. E. B. Du Bois’s famous words, “the problem of the color line,” then the problem of the twenty-first century is the problem of colorblindness, the refusal to acknowledge the causes and consequences of enduring racial stratification.”

― Naomi Murakawa, The First Civil Right: How Liberals Built Prison America

Naomi Murakawa challenges conventional wisdom in The First Civil Right, arguing that the expansion of the federal carceral state—a justice system that disproportionately imprisons blacks and Latinos—was actually rooted in the civil-rights liberalism of the 1940s and early 1960s, not in the period afterward.

Murakawa charts the evolution of the present American prison system throughout the course of several Republican and Democratic presidential administrations. In response to state and municipal appeals to stop anarchy and violence against blacks, the Truman administration enlarged the scope of what had previously been a weak federal system. Later governments, from Johnson to Clinton, increased the federal government’s footprint even further.

4. Alan Sillitoe’s The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner

“I’m a human being and I’ve got thoughts and secrets and bloody life inside me that he doesn’t know is there, and he’ll never know what’s there because he’s stupid. I suppose you’ll laugh at this, me saying the governor’s a stupid bastard when I know hardly how to write and he can read and write and add-up like a professor. But what I say is true right enough. He’s stupid, and I’m not, because I can see further into the likes of him than he can see into the likes of me.”

― Alan Sillitoe, The Loneliness of the Long-Distance Runner

“You should think about nobody and go your own way, not on a course marked out for you by people holding mugs of water and bottles of iodine in case you fall and cut yourself so that they can pick you up – even if you want to stay where you are – and get you moving again.”

― Alan Sillitoe, The Loneliness of the Long-Distance Runner

“Everything’s dead, but good, because it’s dead before coming alive, not dead after being alive. That’s how I look at it.”

― Alan Sillitoe, The Loneliness of the Long-Distance Runner

This collection of short stories involves a young kid named Smith who is sentenced to prison for robbing a bakery. There, he develops into an excellent cross-country runner – so outstanding, in fact, that he becomes the governor’s best hope for a public relations triumph when Smith is invited to compete against pupils from a nearby public school. He sprints ahead of the field only to come to a stop yard before the finish line in a magnificent act of defiance that demonstrates his mind’s and spirit’s emancipation from the bleak and restrictive borstal regime. Sillitoe recognized that while the body can be beyond bars, the mind will always remain free.

5. Wilbert Rideau’s In the Place of Justice

“You have a responsibility to act for others when you’re the only person in a position to do so. It’s how you handle it that separates the great from the mediocre.”

― Wilbert Rideau, In the Place of Justice: A Story of Punishment and Deliverance

Rideau was imprisoned for nearly 44 years until being released in 2005. He was convicted of murder and sentenced to die when he was 19 years old. However, when Louisiana temporarily suspended the death penalty in 1972, his sentence was commuted to life imprisonment.

Rideau served most of his sentence at Angola State Penitentiary (affectionately known as the Farm), where he began writing The Jungle, a column about prison life behind bars. He later became editor of the Angolite, the award-winning magazine published by the penitentiary. In 1998, he assisted in the production of The Farm, an Oscar-nominated documentary on Angola State. As told in one of the beautifully written books about prison, his life story demonstrates what may be accomplished in the most trying circumstances with only an optimistic attitude and a pen.

Reduce Your Jail Call Costs By Up To 90% Per Minute With GlobalTel

About The Author

Krizzia Paolyn is an SEO Specialist with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology. It has always been her passion to share her voice, and at the same time, to encourage other people to speak up.