Petit Larceny at an AAFES Store

[jk]

Stop beating her up on the dependent thing. That is an ENTIRELY appropriate term when talking about being able to access the commissaries and exchanges.

As JK points out, you need to be watching your mail. As soon as you get something official, take it to an attorney.

didn't mean to beat her up. It was my misunderstanding. All I was doing was explaining where my mind was. When she first posted, for some reason, when she mentioned her parents the thought of being married to a military person completely eluded me. My error, not hers.

and with that;
my apologies if I offended ANYBODY with that.

[mon68]

I do typically live with my husband but due to unforeseen circumstances with my parents I had to bring my family to Texas to help them out for a little. Could anyone give me information about what could possibly happen with it being a federal matter? Could I possibly be looking at a huge fine and privileges lost? Do the federal courts offer ACD to first time offenders? Any information on this helps me tremendously. Also does anyone know of good affordable lawyers in the Watertown NY area?

[geek]

I do typically live with my husband but due to unforeseen circumstances with my parents I had to bring my family to Texas to help them out for a little. Could anyone give me information about what could possibly happen with it being a federal matter? Could I possibly be looking at a huge fine and privileges lost? Do the federal courts offer ACD to first time offenders? Any information on this helps me tremendously. Also does anyone know of good affordable lawyers in the Watertown NY area?

Try this.

http://www.americanbar.org/portals/p...rk.html#assist

[mon68]

Also should I plead not guilty? Ive read thats the best thing to do.

[Dogmatique]

Correct. Plead not guilty and communicate only with your attorney.

[mon68]

Last question I promise, can someone explain the difference between it being a federal case and state case? Does federal case make it harder for a person to get an ACD for first time offense?

[Mr. Knowitall]

Federal cases are litigated in federal court, applying federal law, with a U.S. Attorney's office handling the prosecution. State cases are handled in state court, applying state law, with a county or local prosecutor handling the prosecution. As you have already been told, ACD is not available in federal court.

[cbg]

Just another word on dependents for the record. I work with, among other things, employee health insurance and we refer to "the employee" and "the employee's dependents" which includes both the spouse or domestic partner as well as children. On occasion I've had someone object, "I"m not his/her dependent - we file jointly and I earn more than he/she does". To which I explain that being a dependent for tax purposes, and being a dependent for benefits purposes, are two different things with two different definitions. For benefits purposes, and that means military exchanges as well as health insurance, it means any covered or qualified person who is not the employee/military personnel him/herself.

Just something to keep in mind for future.

[flyingron]

I suspect the term dates from older days when the service member was always a man and the wife didn't ever work so the dependent in tax and benefit sense were one and the same. Now times are changed and hence the dichotomy.

[tc498]

If you are charged federally then an acd is not an option.