Patrick L.
1/5
I was found guilty of Marijuana Trafficking 1.5lbs to be exact, back in 2018
I paid this firm a total of $5000 for services in defending me.
I am not gang affiliated
I donāt not have a long history of criminal offenses
The only other thing I have on my record is a misdemeanor (disturbing the peace) from 2013
Before sentencing, I enrolled myself into the walker center (a treatment facility) I graduated within 6 months I drug tested for the whole year of 2018 with no violations
When I showed up to court for sentencing Mr. Calbo
made no effort to mention me graduating the walker center at all to the judge. He instead took a plea deal to give me Rider (a 7-11 month boot camp for people who do not want to do their actual sentencing)
I was facing 5 years total- 3 indeterminate with 2 years of probation.
Other people who have similar/more convictions or with a longer history of crimes drug related or other offenses have received more lenient sentencing than myself
All others who have been given either community probation or substance abuse counseling were either Caucasian, a Woman or both.
Many people who were sentenced to a rider like myself with similar or more offensive convictions, facing more jail time than myself who DO NOT pay for a lawyer also received a Rider plea just like mine.
So in retrospect I couldāve saved my 5,000.00 and I still wouldāve received a Rider and also the court systems are biased against Men and people of color.
Mr. Calbo used my inexperience in legal matters as well as my fear of incarceration to āmake a quick buckā
Mr. Calbo is NOT an idiot nor is he inexperienced with the law , He is a damn good lawyer which is why Iām highly disappointed that he did not tell me the actuality of the situation.
If I was going to be sent on a rider regardless of my legal history and regardless of my self appointed substance abuse treatment before sentencing, why not just tell me that Iām going on a Rider no matter what?
Why take my 5,000.00 if Iām going to be given the sentencing as ppl who couldnāt not afford a lawyer
I met 3 women all with prior drug convictions
And they have all told me that they have never received a rider as part of their sentencing they were all given probation and substance abuse counseling,
they were all Caucasian.
5 other people who I served my Rider with told me consecutively that this was their 2nd 4th and 5th rider they were all represent public defenders and were all given the same treatment as myself. They were all Caucasian as well.
The individual who recommended that I retain Mr. Calbo for his services is Caucasian woman who was charged with a drug offense similar to mine with harsher substances than Marijuana and a longer history of drug offenses yet she donāt receive any jail/prison time at all.
I cannot speak for any/everyone but this has been my experience with retaining Brad Calbo as a lawyer and dealing with the Idaho Court system.
