Federal Defendant’s have four opportunities to speak for themselves during the court process.

The first opportunity is in the Pre-Sentence Investigation interview. This interview is with a United States Probation Officer, who is going to ask about everything in your life, going all the way back to your childhood. Here you can bring up everything you want to bring up about yourself.

The next opportunity is in the sentencing memorandum. A sentencing memorandum is a document prepared by your lawyer, and typically submitted 2 weeks before sentencing. Here you want to highlight some of the good things about yourself, if you’re working, if you’re raising children and what you’ve done to insure you won’t recidivate.

Writing a personalized letter to the judge, also before sentencing, is the third opportunity you’re going to have to speak for yourself. Keep in mind that this letter will end up in your docket so don’t fill it with sensitive information.

The 4th and final opportunity Federal Defendants have to speak for themselves is in allocution. Allocution is when the judge asks if you have anything to say for yourself. You should take this opportunity to tell your positive story.

For more information or if you need a Federal Prison Consultant please email info@federalprisontips.com or call 407-735-6995