My House Arrest Experience: The Unexpected Reality
Everyone asks what house arrest is like. Every married male in my life has called me, offering advice on what to do with “all my free time.” They try to live vicariously through me, suggesting things they wish they could do themselves. Keep in mind, the only ones giving advice are married guys, typically with kids. “You should get jacked, man,” they say, envisioning fantasies of day trading and getting into peak physical condition. When they’re not suggesting that, they’re trying to get me involved in their side hustles, essentially wanting me to do all the grunt work for their jobs or projects.
Don’t get me wrong—I love my friends, and I know they’re trying to create win-win scenarios, which I appreciate. But the truth is, it’s been incredibly difficult finding a job amidst all of this. Back in July 2022, when we first started discussing legal repercussions, there was talk of the case getting dismissed. Then, the possibility of it going to mental health court and being hospitalized without legal repercussions. Next, it went to a no-contest plea, then to an open plea, and finally, my own attorney convinced me to plead guilty. Each time court was pushed back, so I never secured a full-time job because it always seemed like court was just a month or two away.
Going into court, the state had agreed that if probation was the sentence, I could serve it in Colorado. So, in my wishful thinking, I assumed I’d be heading back to Colorado with a new lease on life. Boy, was I wrong. On the morning of March 8, 2024, the judge handed down a sentence of four years house arrest, followed by five years probation. And here’s the kicker: I was not to leave Hillsborough County. She looked me straight in the eye and said, “Say goodbye to Denver.”
One of my best friends, Emerson, was with me every step of the way. He took me from the courthouse to get my ankle monitor fitted just a few doors down. Then, we immediately reported to the probation office. After all of that was done, we headed back home in his rented 2024 Jeep Wagoneer S. He grabbed us dinner from Three Bulls Tavern. I spent the rest of the day catching up with everyone, trying to figure out how the sentence went down.
For me, it was a sigh of relief. The nearly two years of my life being in limbo finally had some finality to it. Honestly, regardless of the outcome, it was going to be a relief. Was I glad it was house arrest over prison? Obviously. Was I upset that it wasn’t probation in Colorado? Of course. But this marked the start of living back home with my mom—who I now jokingly refer to as my roommate—and the beginning of new adventures.