Thread: The consequences of using a fake degree: Mr. Hippo's day in court.

**Mod edit** For those who want to begin this story, at the beginning, with Hippo's arrest, you should read this first:
http://www.ajarnforum.net/vb/the-sta...ml#post1191666 (Fake Degrees)

It's been a long, long month for me; first of all the arrest then 2 nights in the Immigration Detention Centre, followed by the first court appearance, two probation meetings and sentencing today.
In my life, I have been knocked down so many times and then kicked so you start to think 'Is it worth getting up again or should I just lie here for my next kicking?' All possible permutations have been spinning round my head - secretly hoping for the best but fearing the worst!
Mrs Hippo and I arrived at the court today with the lawyer and sat in the court at 9 o'clock along with about 5 other defendants (different cases) - will I be the first case or the last? I thought that the trial would start at 9 but no, the judge came in at 10 and my name was called first.
Mrs Hippo and I approached and the judge gave the sentence - 3000 Baht fine and a 6 month suspended prison sentence; he said that it should have been double but as I had confessed and my probation report was good he halved it. The prison sentence is suspended for two years.
Did the school report me? Not according to the probation officer. There is someone at the Ministry checking all degrees, he shown me the list but as it was in Thai, I was not able to read it.
So anyone who has worked with a fake in the past 7 or 8 years or is working with one now, I think that you have every reason to be concerned. I got off light but I fear that this will not happen in every case - be careful!

Great news hippo!!! Glad you are free, but just seeing the post i knew it must be okay cause you sure dont have computer lock up in the jail. Have you already paid the fine?

great. relax now as I am sure you have not since the incident.

Great news under the circumstances. Now you can relax and get on with your life. Do you have any check in requirements/probation stuff?

Originally Posted by natalie8

What exactly is a suspended sentence?

A suspension of a sentence means the sentence will not be enforced for the duration of the stay so long as the defendant keeps his nose clean and is not found to be engaging in the same illegal activity or another illegal activity depending on what the judge directed. Should the defendant be found guilty of an additional crime, not only will he need to serve the sentence for the second crime, but also the original stayed sentence on top of that.

^^ I love Law & Order.