Never make a long-term decision based on a short-term circumstance.

If you find yourself behind bars facing a criminal case, the best advice I can give is to never make a long-term decision based upon a short-term circumstance.

Imagine you are sitting in your local county jail, awaiting a trial on charges you believe that you are innocent of. You have just come back from your bail review, where the judge decided not

to reduce your bond. So, you find yourself in a situation where it seems your only option is to wait in the county jail until your trial, which could be anywhere from 30 to 45 days out. Strangely enough, right after you receive the bad news about your bond not being reduced, a plea offer is made! “If you will just sign on the dotted line, admitting that you did this, we can have you out of here by tomorrow!”

I understand that this is some very hard advice I am giving. I am literally telling you to not take the immediate route home, no matter how tempting it might be, and to stick to your guns instead if you truly believe in your case. If you are maintaining your innocence, actually maintain your innocence and get your day in court. I cannot promise that it will work out in your favor. What I can tell you is this: after doing this for almost 19 years, I have heard far too many stories from individuals who are experiencing difficulty securing housing, or have lost out on multiple opportunities, or have been turned down for yet another job. There are endless examples of convictions coming back to haunt you.

These individuals also all share the same sentiment. They realize they were convicted and understood the plea but just could not resist the chance to go home. They had no idea that this decision would still be plaguing them three years, five years, or eight years after the fact. If they had known that one conviction was going to close so many doors, they would have taken it to trial and waited for their day in court.

If you are facing that same scenario, my advice to you is to never ever make a long-term decision based upon a short-term situation. My name is Corey Scott. If I can be of any further help to you, please reach out. I would be more than happy to talk to you. Until then, take great care, and make good decisions. If you have to be guilty of anything, be guilty of greatness.