Chapter 21 - Sentencing
Delphine had no prior criminal record.
No violence conviction.
The offense involved deliberate document manipulation but no completed transfer of property.
The judge considered:
Sophistication.
Duration.
Financial motive.
Acceptance? Limited.
Sentence:
Eighteen months, with twelve suspended.
Six months home confinement/electronic monitoring? Could be proportionate. Better: four months county custody plus probation. Let's keep realistic and not overly severe.
Four months county custody.
Twenty months probation.
Fine:
$25,000.
Restitution limited to forensic/accounting costs directly attributable to the offense where legally allowed.
The civil overbilling dispute remained separate.
No order taking her company.
No ban from interior design forever.
Then Delphine spoke.
“I never intended to steal his house.”
The judge said:
“The jury did not convict you of stealing the house. It convicted you of making a false document appear to acknowledge an ownership claim.”
May you like
Precise.
I appreciated precision by then.
