Susan, I am so sorry this is dragging on. Please forgive me if this has already been asked and answered, but have you been in touch with an autism advocate? This whole situation seems incredibly punitive for an adult with a documented developmental disability. It's not like he committed a violent crime. I'm frustrated for you, but also thinking of my own son with asd, and the amount of time and public money (and your own finances) wasted prosecuting a person who couldn't understand the consequences of their actions.
Early on I reached out to several big autism organizations and requested that kind of assistance. They don't offer it. We did get very lucky in that we found attorneys who specialize in representing those with autism and they've been excellent. Part of the issue for us is where the case is being tried -- Stafford County, Virginia. Very conservative. Prone to throwing the book at anyone accused (rightly or wrongly) of solicitation. We've had several high profile cases of young men with autism being locked up without a thought to their condition or whether they understood what they were doing and/or telling the police. (That's why I tell my own kids and everyone else -- if the police bring you in, say NOTHING. Ask for an attorney and to call your parents. That's it.) If the case was being tried someplace liberal, like Alexandria, VA, it would most likely have been dismissed immediately. Talk with your son about how to handle police interactions. It's important. xo
Thank you for this detailed background information Susan, and I’m sorry I asked you to relive this awful experience again. F*ck those conservatives! Zero empathy and 100% righteous a$$holes. The message is clear, the police are not your friends and if you get swept up in something just keep your mouth shut. I wish I could give you a big hug. If mothers ruled the world it would be a much kinder, gentler place. Everyone was once somebody’s baby. XO 🥰
So sorry to hear there are further delays. Maybe you can buy a frequent flyer package with the airline... I am praying to the gods of justice that they put an end to this immediately. Hope it helps
Susan, I am so sorry this is dragging on. Please forgive me if this has already been asked and answered, but have you been in touch with an autism advocate? This whole situation seems incredibly punitive for an adult with a documented developmental disability. It's not like he committed a violent crime. I'm frustrated for you, but also thinking of my own son with asd, and the amount of time and public money (and your own finances) wasted prosecuting a person who couldn't understand the consequences of their actions.
Early on I reached out to several big autism organizations and requested that kind of assistance. They don't offer it. We did get very lucky in that we found attorneys who specialize in representing those with autism and they've been excellent. Part of the issue for us is where the case is being tried -- Stafford County, Virginia. Very conservative. Prone to throwing the book at anyone accused (rightly or wrongly) of solicitation. We've had several high profile cases of young men with autism being locked up without a thought to their condition or whether they understood what they were doing and/or telling the police. (That's why I tell my own kids and everyone else -- if the police bring you in, say NOTHING. Ask for an attorney and to call your parents. That's it.) If the case was being tried someplace liberal, like Alexandria, VA, it would most likely have been dismissed immediately. Talk with your son about how to handle police interactions. It's important. xo
Thank you for this detailed background information Susan, and I’m sorry I asked you to relive this awful experience again. F*ck those conservatives! Zero empathy and 100% righteous a$$holes. The message is clear, the police are not your friends and if you get swept up in something just keep your mouth shut. I wish I could give you a big hug. If mothers ruled the world it would be a much kinder, gentler place. Everyone was once somebody’s baby. XO 🥰
What torture!!! 🤞for 8/12. Who knows? It could happen 😁❤️❤️❤️
It could!!! xoxo
So sorry to hear there are further delays. Maybe you can buy a frequent flyer package with the airline... I am praying to the gods of justice that they put an end to this immediately. Hope it helps
I wish I could just wave a magic wand and fix this for you. Good grief!!
Thanks Karla. I wish you could too!