Hey guys - hoping to get an inside scoop as apparently the inner workings of the criminal justice system for a convicted felon are top secret... if you don't know the rules, how are you supposed to follow them? Anyway enough of my frustration - EXCON you seem to have it all figured out, come to my rescue!

I have already determined that my boyfriend can get a passport and the catch is actually whether he can get IN to whatever country we are going to. I have found no definitive answer about Mexico but will try to get contact info for their consulate to be sure. It was a violence felony, nothing drug related - which I am finding on the forums can cause some concern among Mexican border officers. I am feeling pretty comfortable that he could get into Mexico without a problem, if someone knows otherwise, please speak up!

Second question that I can not find ANY response for is about coming BACK into the US. I found one posting claiming that this individual was detained and harassed upon re-entry despite his conviction being 20 years old. I am hoping this is not true. My boyfriend is on probation but I am confident he would get permission from his PO for the trip (we are still debating even asking for permission - he's still learning to follow the rules faithfully). I am worried that should we travel for a 4 day getaway w/o getting that permission (although I probably won't cave and let him try it), would we risk getting busted trying to get back INTO the U.S.

Lastly - please no preaching about following the rules, I am just trying to get all of the information I can, and hopefully enough 'ammo' to convince him that going w/o getting the permission is absolutely NOT a good idea. Old habits die hard but people CAN change.

Thanks you all in advance for your time and advice!

Hola Dreaming:

I just got back. No problems...

excon

Wow! You're good and quick, too!

Could it really be that easy? BF says I worry too much, maybe he's right...

Muchas Gracias!

Hola otra vez, Dreaming:

Si. No hay problemos when I went in, and a breeze when I came back.

Mexico, of course, had no idea who I was. They were just happy to have me. And, the only thing the customs guy asked when I came back in was how many cars were backed up.

excon

He must get permission to leave the country or it will be an instant violation if his info is run at the border when he comes back. If his name is run at the border and he has no written permission to leave the country then he will be detained until he is transported to the county where he is on probation and held in jail until his probation violation hearing is held.

He needs to get permission - written permission. If he does not get the written permission please do not let him go - otherwise he can and will be in violation of his probation.

Is this trip that necessary to leave the country? Can't you two "get away" somewhere else?? Must it be Mexico? Can't you go somewhere here in the US and not worry about crossing into another country? Also, if he does leave the state without permission that is also a violation. Can't you go somewhere in your state? Then you won't need to ask for permission as he won't be in violation of his probation.

If he won't listen to you, oh well. Just be prepared to go visit him in jail when he's caught violating.

Hello again, Dreaming:

That Twink... She even reads... I guess I missed something... He's on probation... I wouldn't go.

excon

Hey, guys, I may be a little old lady, but I like to read everything as I am a readaholic. Yes, and I'm trying to ease off on the reading...

Thanks to everyone for your input. I have successfully put out the 'go to mexico' fire. We wanted to go there because of the all inclusive deals - it would help us to stay on budget.

I am trying to come up with alternatives, as Twink suggested. We're in Illinois and the point of the trip was basically that he's never seen the ocean, so 'in state' doesn't really work for that goal- but I'm guessing we're just going to have to be patient on that one. I'm confident if he'd just ask the judge he would get permission but he's a bit jaded with 'the system'. Like I said he's coming around but pulling on the leash every step of the way. I can't judge him for it because I understand how he got there, and it makes me thankful for the privileged upbringing I was afforded - my parents were there to guide me and keep me out of trouble (and they were called on to do so, quite often), whereas his parents were in just as much trouble as he was. I reset Twink's comment about going to see him in jail - I think it was callous and uncalled for in this forum, but I know some people just have to editorialize and can't help themselves.

All that said, I do have one more question to run by you all - while trying to come up with alternatives he suggested Puerto Rico, because you do not need a passport to travel there and they might not run his information. Does anyone have any insight on that? I'm going to try and discourage it - we've come way too far to get into totally unnecessary trouble, but it helps if I can explain why it's a bad idea with facts, not just "I think its a bad idea".

Does anyone have any insight on that? Hello again, D:

We're just the wrong people to ask. The PO is where he should be addressing the question. Because after we say what we think, you're going to have to go there anyway.

The judge has nothing to do with it. The PO has all the authority. Whether a passport is needed isn't the issue either. You don't need one for Mexico.

Do I think your PO will give him permission to leave the country?? No. So, if the ocean is the thing, why not go to Big Sur? It's on the ocean, and it's in America. They've got pretty good Mexican food there, too.

excon

PS>(edited) If there's NO reason to deny the trip, the PO is required to let him go.