While Tom offered guidance from the perspective of a successful employer, I sat in awe of his ability to inspire and guide people, offering whatever insight I could. My dad is at Yankton Federal Prison Camp. Our course on sentencing narratives may help. I have represented Tom Smith since 1995 and I write this character reference letter to express my support. Explain how a character-reference letter should be in the writer’s own words and not follow any sort of template. Clemency Sample letter. If you have resources for one-on-one assistance, call or text me at 415-419-1728 / email: [email protected]. He based his estimate on the fact that he has sentenced more than 4,000 people. The writer does not suggest a sentence to the judge, but focused exclusively on what he knew about Tom’s personal character, and revealing a story. Early Release From Prison Due To The Coronavirus. The writer may say that the two families have spent many summer vacations camping together. A lucky Long Island Jewish podiatrist was granted freedom on the eve of Passover, a few months before he was scheduled to be released. Thinking through an effective sentencing strategy includes thoughts about the character reference letters. For that reason, I’m asking you to write a character reference letter. President of the United States. Dear Members of the Parole Board: 1st Paragraph: The first paragraph is an introductory paragraph to write about who you are and how you know the inmate. I just completed my junior year in college at Name of University, and have been at the top of my class in my chosen field of medicine. The following is generally included in such a letter: 1. I’m about to be sentenced for a federal crime. Yet Judge Bennett said that he doesn’t pay any attention to letters from “senators” or so forth unless there is truth. The first paragraph should state who the writer is and his or her relationship to the defendant. Throughout this continuous (and continuing) attorney-client relationship, I have not only developed a great respect for Tom as a businessman, as an employer, but also as a human being. Good character reference letters help the judge understand the defendant as an individual. However, I am requesting that you reconsider because the whole experience of being arrested, staying in jail and being sentenced to three years has had a profound impact on me and I deeply regret my selfish action of shoplifting. For example, the writer may recall when he saw the defendant tutoring others so they could advance their career. He only got a year and a day for Medicare fraud. In the fall of 2016, I interviewed Judge Mark Bennett and he spoke specifically about Character Reference Letters. Besides reading this article. Below is a sample reconsideration letter by the defendant to the judge who gave the sentence. Form or template letters may do more harm than good. Sentencing. We wish you the best of luck. Dear Mr. President, Despite these facts, the Department of Justice has now limited the number of inmates eligible for early release. For example, it may say that the writer is requesting reconsideration of a five year prison sentence for shoplifting because he or she is a first-time offender, in their last year of college, deeply regrets the action and will never do it again. A statement that compassionate release is being sought. A letter to a judge should always have a respectful, polite tone and be a professional business letter. The request for compassionate release can be made by the person in prison, or by someone else on their behalf. Some sample letters to judge are also attached that will help you to customize your letter. Likewise, judges do not want friends and family members telling him about an appropriate sentence. Letters from high-status people fail unless writer truly speaks about the defendant’s character. I am reaching out to you for help because I need the judge to know me as a human being. Remember: The PSR can influence the length of the federal prison sentence. He showed genuine regret not merely for the criminal or civil liabilities he faced, but for the wrong to which he contributed. A reconsideration letter to a judge is written to persuade the judge to reconsider a decision that was made during a sentencing trial. The writer wants to convince the judge to reevaluate his or her decision by giving valid reasons in detail to reassess the decision. I was given three years prison time, and I fully understand the seriousness of my action. Consider e this example of excellence in your quest to find character reference letters that can help your cause. Many of the people that received the template followed it verbatim. State why you believe the prisoner should be considered for early release in the next paragraph. Her sentence was sliced this week when she was among 71 inmates eligible for the release ordered by Judge Foster that was required by state law because the jail … In this website, we also have variety of images usable. The conclusion should state that the defendant deeply regrets his or her actions and has learned from the experience of being arrested and in jail. He spoke about one defendant who submitted 100 character reference letters. Thank you, Your Honor, for taking these thoughts into consideration as you deliberate on the appropriate sentence. Dear Friends and Family: As you know, I’m going through some challenging times. I walked away from that day, grateful for the experience. Parole Board Character Reference/Recommendation Letter: The Parole Board is a group of people belonging to the different profession but suitable to make a judgment according to the Law.This board decides that whether a convict of a crime should be released on Parole after serving a minimum year in prison as prescribed by the sentencing judge.The parole […] I do not know (incarcerated person) __ very well, but I know a lot of people who know him. The letter should also reveal that I have been honest about my complications with the criminal justice system. 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW. I sincerely promise never to do it again.I just completed my junior year in college at Name of University, and have been at the top of my class in my chosen field of medicine. Federal Prison Camp Notice that the sample letter above is very personal. Judges’ Views on Allocution in Sentencing. You need to remember that judge … Here, the reason the person is writing the letter should be stated as well as the results the person expects.Â. The last paragraph should have a one-sentence summary of the purpose of the letter and the hoped-for outcome.A reconsideration letter may also be written by a third party to the sentencing judge. If the reconsideration letter is being written by someone other than the person who was sentenced, it should give character references to show why the writer believes the incident will never be repeated. Â. When I asked Tom what we were doing in Santa Ana, he told me that we would spend the day teaching homeless people how to prepare for job interviews. The body of the letter should provide important details about the defendant’s case. There isn’t any need to write about the crime, and there isn’t any need to write about the sentence. Few defense attorneys concern themselves much with the presentence investigation because they do not grasp the importance of the presentence investigation as the defendant proceeds through federal prison. “Hey, I have been following your work for a while. I have never stolen anything in my life and only did so because of the peer pressure of my friends. I am forever grateful to Tom for inviting me to accompany him one Saturday for an afternoon of fun. When thinking about character reference letters, start from the premise of what to avoid: When character reference letters avoid the flaws above, they go a long ways toward improving the outcomes for a defendant at sentencing. Those people do not know all of the facts of the case, the law, or what constitutes an appropriate sentence. I sincerely promise never to do it again. Prison officials indicated earlier this month that inmates who had served less than half their sentences could still be considered for early release to limit the spread of infection behind bars. Some defendants, however, go overboard. In fact, explain that a template can backfire. An early release letter may be written to a judge on behalf of an incarcerated individual. Good character reference letters may be as short as a few paragraphs, or they may span a few pages. If the reconsideration letter is being written by someone other than the person who was sentenced, it should give character references to show why the writer believes the incident will never be repeated.Â. Every defendant has an opportunity to submit character reference letters that may make an impression on the judge. Washington, DC 20500. Now, I see that I sacrificed my moral standards to be accepted by so-called friends. That is the most likely place to send a letter if someone has already been convicted and sentenced. Tom is a good person. A few Jews were in the mix. Sample Parole Support Letter from Family. Prison Consultant Obtaining a “Compassionate Release” Apply for release if you are needed at home. The last paragraph should have a one-sentence summary of the purpose of the letter and the hoped-for outcome. He wants $10K. Residential Drug Abuse Program Start your first paragraph by stating your relationship to the convicted individual. For example, the writer may say he or she has known the defendant since he or she was a child, is a friend of the family or was a mentor and teacher of the defendant. A half dozen inmates were just released from Otisville. RE:FEDERAL INMATE JOHN DOE’S LETTER IN SUPPORT OF HIS PETITION FOR COMMUTATION OF SENTENCE. Important tips to write letters to a judge are also given below that will help you in writing your own letter; Do not hesitate to write to judge. Date: Your Address. Compassionate Release Sample Narrative Letter and Checklist Letter . I have never stolen anything in my life and only did so because of the peer pressure of my friends. To serve the sentence in the best possible environment. The letter may address Your Honor or Dear Judge Last Name of Judge. In Ohio, early release from prison is governed by Ohio Revised Code § 2929.20, which is titled “Sentence Reduction Through Judicial Release.” An applicant can file a judicial release motion without an attorney; however, hiring a lawyer can give an applicant a greater chance for being accepted for judicial release. October 30, 2019. The second paragraph should state that the writer clearly understands the problems and crime of the defendant. Finally, against everything we’ve mentioned above, I’m providing content from an excellent character reference letter that proved influential at sentencing for a client we represented in our sentence-mitigation work.  by giving valid reasons in detail to reassess the decision. 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Name of DefendantAddress of DefendantCity, State, Zip CodeDATEName of JudgeName of District CourtAddress of District CourtCity, State, Zip CodeDear Honorable Judge Last Name of Judge: This letter is a formal request for you to reconsider my sentencing on DATE for shoplifting. If you want practice prior to writing a parole support note, write a letter to your loved one. Below is a sample reconsideration letter by the defendant to the judge who gave the sentence. We suggest that you do your best to submit between eight and 12 such letters with your sentencing package. Nor did he ever try to shift moral blame on others. I would welcome the chance to do community service or anything else that you deem appropriate rather than spend three years in prison. Submitting more letters than necessary does not always help. 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