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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jul 2009
    Posts
    3

    Question Getting a Sentence Modification

    My question involves criminal law for the state of: Maryland, Baltimore City

    I have been told by my probation officer that I can try to write a letter to the judge for a sentence modification. She also told me that another one of her offenders/clients did this and the judge decided to end his probation early. So I decided to write a letter to the Judge, basically explaining what I have learned and how I have been changing my lifestyle and acting on my plans for my future. I was not feeding the Judge garbage. I was truly being honest. And made no mention of disliking government laws or anything that could be seen in a negative light.

    My probation officer got me the address to mail the letter to the judge, And I believe her impressions of me are good. I have done everything my PO has requested me to do and in three weeks she said her supervisor will cut me some slack and reduce me down to general supervision. My probation is 2 years and I have been on probation for 1 year thus far.

    I mailed the Judge a letter and got a letter back saying I need to get a lawyer and that I need to mail a letter to the states attorneys office and the public defenders office for my request to be considered.(copy below minus identity details)

    Can some lawyers give me some insight ..... Seems like a pretty straight forward simple request to me.

    Example: State attorney and the Judge reads the letter then they request my probation officers thoughts about me..... And decide yes or no to my request. The way I see it the sentence/damage has already been done. Can the judge increase my sentence? And if so I doubt they would on the count of my good behavior. They have no reason too.

    My Main Question is>>>> How much of a benefit will a paid lawyer have over a public defender for me? (I am thinking the only benefit will be that the Judge and states attorney will have increased respect for my case only because I shelled out more money to hire a lawyer for my case, Am I close huh?) I don't mean any disrespect to any lawyers reading this thread and yes I realize I am asking for advice from lawyers right now.... I just don't understand how the lawyer will really benefit me (Besides the increased respect talked about above). What will the lawyer do or say in this situation to convince the Judge and states attorney to grant my request that I will not already say myself? I need the insider information pertaining to this subject from the States attorney, Judge, and Defending attorney point of view. Is this generally how things are perceived?

    This case has already cost me over $5000 everything combined. I am saving every penny I can literally! So I can buy a business. I know I should hire a paid lawyer but I don't want to spend the money (Whoever really does) because I am so committed to buying a business. Not to sound demanding but .... If I hire a lawyer I want results.

    If I am wrong in my thoughts and am overlooking things let me know I have been wrong many times before... This time is probably no different.


  2. #2
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
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    Behind a Desk
    Posts
    98,846

    Default Re: Getting a Sentence Modification

    I would do as instructed - send copies of the letter to the interested parties, then see if the public defender's office will help you out. If the probation officer is on your side, unless the state attorney comes back with strong opposition (meaning more than a pro forma "No, the original sentence should stand", which some prosecutors would give to any request for a reduction) I think you're fine with a public defender. If there is strong opposition, I would still talk to a public defender first and get a feel for how I would be represented - my concern is more about case load than qualification.

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