Joe and Teresa Giudice have begun the process of preparing for their sentencing date in their high profile fraud case and Joe is said to be getting ready to take the blame in hopes that Teresa will get a lighter sentence.

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An insider close to the family said Wednesday that the Real Housewives of New Jersey couple plans to meet with authorities in the probation department separately so Joe can testify that the entire ordeal is his fault and Teresa had no idea. The probation department will then advise the judge on what type of sentence to hand down to them on July 8.

The source said, "In doing this, Joe is hoping that the judge will not send Teresa to prison, and instead either give her probation or house arrest."

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They will take it a step further and speak with a therapist to make sure they are mentally stable no matter the outcome.

"A meeting with a psychiatrist is also on the books to determine their mental health status, and how they would do if placed in prison. This is always done in these cases, and the Giudices aren't receiving any special treatment."

Teresa could get up to 27 months and Joe is looking at up to 46 months. It is also likely that he'll get deported back to Italy after serving his sentence.

Teresa is said to be "living in denial" about Joe being forced to leave the country.

"She is hopeful that their lawyers will be able to avoid this altogether, but it isn't looking like it will happen. Joe is going to deal with whatever his punishment is, and if that includes being deported, he will face it. Of course, Joe would fight any attempt to be deported, but he knows his chances of being successful are slim."

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