There was no way to dismiss those words as an innocent misunderstanding.
The district attorney originally considered several serious charges. After negotiations between the attorneys, Michael agreed to plead guilty to coercion and unlawful restraint.
The agreement spared our family a public trial.
It also spared me from having to sit in a courtroom while lawyers questioned every detail of my relationship with my son.
But the consequences were still substantial.
Michael was sentenced to two years in state custody, followed by five years of supervised probation. He was also ordered to receive counseling, complete financial responsibility classes, and have no involvement in decisions concerning my property.
On the day of his sentencing, I sat in the back row of the county courtroom.
The room smelled faintly of old wood, paper, and floor polish. An American flag stood beside the judge’s bench. Lawyers moved quietly between tables while families whispered in the wooden seats behind them.
