Your rehabilitation and GED are great news and congratulations for getting your life back in order. Judge Hale and most of the other courts have adopted a "Drug Court Program" to assist individuals such as yourself in order to recover from the disease of addiction and get you back on track. Local Law Enforcement usually takes between 60-90 days to turn in their cases to the DA's office for prosecution. If you would like a free consultation please feel free to call my office at 956-725-4400....
One thing is for sure - you and your spouse are not responsible for the bill. The fact that the electricity provider failed to properly disconnect services is not your fault. Furthermore, the electricity was used to the benefit of your former landlord. Therefore it is them, not you, whom need to work out an arrangement. I would call the provider and ask to speak to a supervisor and then follow up with a letter if that does not produce the intended result. - George