how to get a an attorney for sentance reduction in richmond

by Dr. Maia Koepp MD 9 min read

Do I need a lawyer to get a sentence reduction?

May 30, 2018 · PARDON CLEMENCY ATTORNEYS. Our pardon law firm takes pride in filing applications for pardon and clemency for our clients. The pardon process takes a long time and clemency applications are very difficult to complete. We work to restore your rights, remove a conviction, obtain a pardon or clemency, restore civil rights, obtain voting rights ...

How can I get my sentence reduced in court?

Mar 19, 2021 · Yes, it is important to have the help of an experienced criminal lawyer to assist with a sentence reduction. An attorney can review your case and sentencing, determine if a reduction may be possible, and present your request in the best possible way to the court. Having professional assistance when requesting a sentence reduction may be the ...

When is a sentence reduction a good thing?

Aug 14, 2020 · A sentence can determine a lot and say so much what will happen to the defendant’s future that is why it should be taken seriously and get all the possible help the defendant can grab. A long sentence will rob the defendant’s time and opportunities in life, and of course, the family of the defendant would like the defendant to get home ...

Why did the defendant immediately appeal the reduced sentence?

May 10, 2010 · Correcting, Modifying, or Reducing a Criminal Sentence. Most sentences are, in fact, set in stone. State and federal laws allow for a few exceptions. The great majority of convicted criminal defendants serve the sentences that were handed down from the bench during the sentencing hearing. Except for reductions for good behavior while in custody ...

When Should I Try to Reduce My sentence?

The time to file a motion to modify sentence is during the sentencing portion of the trial. Once the motion is filed, the judge will then conduct a...

What Can Increase My Chances to Reduce My sentence?

At one point, you will need to ask your attorney to file a motion to modify your sentence. It is up to the court to accept the modification. There...

What Are The Chances of My Motion Succeeding?

Ultimately, the factor involved for your motion succeed or not succeeding rest entirely on the judge’s decision. One of the most common reasons for...

What If My Sentence was “Illegal”?

In rare cases, you might have been handed down an illegal sentence. This is when the sentence cannot apply to you, due to a wide range of reasons:...

Do I Need A Lawyer’S Help?

Most people don’t know that they have the opportunity to reduce their sentence. If you are willing to meet the requirements for reducing your sente...

When Can Sentences Be Changed?

As a general rule, once a final judgment has been entered in a criminal case—once the judge has delivered a legally valid sentence—the judge loses...

Reducing Sentences For Those Who Cooperate

Most of us are familiar with the “cooperating witness” scenario, wherein a person charged with or even convicted of a crime agrees to cooperate wit...

Compassionate Modifications of Federal Sentences

Federal law allows a narrow range of defendants to ask the court to reduce their sentences, based on the length of their incarceration, their age,...

Questions to Ask Your Attorney

1. I had a court-appointed lawyer at trial, and I’d like to file a motion to modify my sentence. Does that lawyer have to represent me? If not, can...

What are the penalties for a crime?

A criminal sentence is a legal punishment imposed upon a defendant who was convicted of a crime. Criminal sentencing varies by state and jurisdiction, with each making their own laws unless they are prohibited by federal law. There are commonalities in sentencing throughout the United States, including a penalty following a criminal conviction. Penalties may include: 1 Incarceration; 2 Fines; 3 Probation or parole; and/or 4 Community service.

What is retroactive law?

A retroactive law is a law that is passed that applies both to future circumstances and previous instances of the same crime or sentence. If a defendant is proactive during the legal process, there may be ways to reduce their criminal sentence and the time spent away from family, friends, and freedom. This article will provide information regarding ...

What is a criminal sentence?

A criminal sentence is a legal punishment imposed upon a defendant who was convicted of a crime.

Can a criminal case be reduced?

Yes, it is important to have the help of an experienced criminal lawyer to assist with a sentence reduction. An attorney can review your case and sentencing, determine if a reduction may be possible, and present your request in the best possible way to the court. Having professional assistance when requesting a sentence reduction may be ...

What are the phases of criminal justice?

The criminal justice system functions in two phases, the guilt phase , also known as the trial portion, and the sentencing phase, or sentencing portion. If a defendant is convicted of the crime charged in the guilt phase, they will proceed on to the sentencing phase. It is during this phase that the defendant has the opportunity to advocate ...

What is the sentence reduction phase?

Requesting a sentence reduction is properly done during the sentencing phase of the criminal process. The criminal justice system functions in two phases, the guilt phase, also known as the trial portion, and the sentencing phase, or sentencing portion.

What is sentence modification?

In most cases, whether to grant a sentence modification is a decision that lies with the court. Whether a defendant is requesting a compassionate release, a reduction based on sentencing guidelines, or another legal reason, presenting their case in the best possible manner increases their chances of succeeding.

Preliminary Sentencing Assistance (PSA)

NLPA’s PSA service is a subscription to information involving things such as:

Full Sentencing Assistance (FSA)

Our Full Sentencing Service involves having our researchers work hand-in-hand with your attorney. In this capacity NLPA would assist counsel in the preparation of:

Institutional Destination

An additional service NLPA can provide involves making written requests to the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) Designation Office to encourage them to assign a defendant to the best possible facility to serve his term of incarceration.

What is an illegal sentence?

An illegal sentence is one that has no basis in law or was the result of a clerical error. It is almost always subject to correction, but only according to rules of criminal procedure. In the federal system, a trial court has 14 days from the date of sentencing to correct arithmetical, technical, or other “clear errors.”.

Can a federal court modify a sentence?

Federal courts, as well, can modify sentences only in a narrow range of circumstances.

What is an unconstitutional sentence?

Importantly, a claim that a sentence is unconstitutional does not bring that claim within the laws that allow for the correction of illegal sentences ...

Can a sentence be modified to increase punishment?

But if the original sentence was legal, it cannot be modified in a way that increases punishment.

What is cooperating witness?

Most of us are familiar with the “ cooperating witness ” scenario, wherein a person charged with or even convicted of a crime agrees to cooperate with the prosecution, giving information or testimony (or both) to aid in the investigation and prosecution of someone else.

How long can a prisoner be in jail?

Under the law, if the Director of the Bureau of Prisons so recommends, a judge may modify a prison term for a prisoner who has served at least 30 years in prison, who is at least 70 years old, and whom the Director feels is not a danger to other people or the community. ( 18 U.S.C. § 3582 .)

What is sentence reduction?

Sentence Reduction: Adopting the Letter, Not the Spirit of the Law. If a criminal defendant is at the point of already being convicted and sentenced to prison time for a federal offense, then a sentence reduction is a positive development.

What is an appellate court mandate?

Appellate Court Mandates for Sentence Reduction. An appellate court may order that the sentencing court reduce a defendant's sentence for a variety of reasons. One of those reasons is that the appellate court finds that the sentence is unreasonable based on the nature of the defendant's actions or the circumstances leading up to ...

How to reduce a sentence?

1. Acquire information about another crime. Federal Rule 35 and corresponding state rules provide for your sentence to be reduced if you give information to the state about other crimes. Typically you must seek reduction within a year of when the judge announced your sentence.

How long is RDAP?

RDAP is a voluntary program for federal prisoners with substance abuse problems. After completion of the 9- to 12-month program your prison sentence can be reduced by up to one year if you were convicted of a non-violent crime.

How to cooperate with a prosecutor?

One way to cooperate is to provide information you’ve found out about another crime. If you do this within a year of being sentenced, you could be eligible for a reduction in your sentence. If you provide information to the prosecutor about a crime, they will file a motion to have your sentence reduced.

Who is Jennifer Mueller?

Jennifer Mueller is an in-house legal expert at wikiHow. Jennifer reviews, fact-checks, and evaluates wikiHow's legal content to ensure thoroughness and accuracy. She received her JD from Indiana University Maurer School of Law in 2006. This article has been viewed 109,377 times.