Court Offered Plea Deal But If I Reject It Will Push The Case Back About 6 Months Even Though It’s Been 4 Years (i Need To Decide By Tomorrow)

Trigger warning mentions of SA

For some back story when I (21f) was in my 11th year of highschool (summer 2020) I was assaulted by one of my close friend (now 21M). I didn’t tell anyone but my close friends as my family situation was not great then (I was a minor so if I reported it I would have to tell my mom) and I was honestly so ashamed. About a year later (2021) I was scrolling on social media and I saw a girl who went to my school posts who basically recounted exactly what happened to me, I ended up reaching out to her and turns out it was the same guy. I eventually decided to post my story which started a chain reaction, if I remember correctly including myself in total 8 women of all ethnicities as well as different friend groups and 1 guy came out with very very similar accusations about the same guy. In total only 4 women (to my knowledge) decided to press charges including myself, the other people didn’t want their parents involved.

For the past. 4 years it has been radio silence since I have my police interview, I’m not friends with anyone who came out to tell their story but I did know that all of our cases were back to back starting beginning of May 2024. Unfortunately I got the last case which I don’t think was the worst thing but it has been really painful waiting. I believe my case was fairly strong, mid April 2024 the court told me he’s trying to sepena (sorry idk how to spell that word) or in other words allow into his defence argument a series of events that didn’t happen during the actual event. My story is really complex and has many layers but he wanted to add in that exactly what happened to me that night actually happened the day before but consensually with knowing any dates or anything (might I add, it’s not legal where I live to use someone’s sexual history against them) but also very much not true, my lawyer thinks it was just a way to tell his side of the story even tho he will eventually get the chance to. My case was supposed to start this Monday (last week of May 2024) but I got a phone call from the court this morning saying that he admitted to everything and wants a plea deal. At first they offered me 1 year of house arrest and 1 year of probation, I honestly was kinda ok with this. Later this evening, I got a call that the most they can offer me is 2 years probation and a course on sexual consent. I’m gonna say right now, I don’t believe this is justice because after 2 years he can get his record wiped and also probation is nothing compared to the trauma I have to live with.

The problem is where I live there is a shortage with judges, I was aware of this when I was first contacted by the court to let me know when the court dates were and to set up meetings(April 2024). This might not be true but it feels like the courts just don’t wanna deal with this anymore and are trying to get me to accept whatever I get. I have been recommended I take the deal but I generally think I have a good chance of winning. I just don’t know if I’ll be able to prepare myself again 6 months to a year from now again but once again I don’t think the plea they offered is ok or fair considering combined with the other girls there are almost 25-30 charges.

I guess im here to ask, is this something worth fighting for? Am I being unreasonable to expect more then just 2 years of probation and a sexual concent course with a clean record? When he admitted to the court he did everything he was accused of will that affect the trail?

(Sorry if there are any grammar mistakes, I’m writing on my phone and I wrote this in a rush. If you have any questions lmk)

Literally anyone please Imk opinions, This feels like such a large decision that could affect me for the rest of my life and I have no one I can talk to about this atm because I don't wanna freak my friends and family out. I must mention my mom wants me to take the plea (she knows about the original house arrest one) idk how she’ll feel about the new deal but she wants me to take it because apparently his lawyer is brutal.