Monday, 04 November 2002 | Letter

Previously: 1, 2, 3, 4.

The letter came today. I hadn't expected it, and I only vaguely recognized the name of the attorney printed on the outside of the envelope; I thoughtlessly ripped it open on my way up the stairs to my apartment. Dear Ms. Whiteman: The above named defendant pled guilty to all charge(s) and was sentenced by the court to serve an active sentence of 121 - 155 months. Since an active prison term was imposed, the payment of restitution was not ordered.

121 - 155 months. I read that over and over again, calculating it until it made me crazy. That can't be right; he just stole my bag. I got everything back.

What is sentenced and what is served are two different things, I know. But even if he only serves a fraction of that sentence, his life will change completely. What if I had thrown away the serial number on my camera, or if I hadn't carelessly left my bag in the van? Perhaps it would've happened eventually anyway, some other "opportunity" that slyly waits in back seats of automobiles and beckons to kids with bad ideas.

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