October 9, 2021
Dealing with criminal indictments can be exceptionally scary. If you are a defendant in a criminal case, the result could be life-changing. Your first thought maybe, “am I going to prison?” or “how long am I going to prison?”. Not knowing the answer to these questions can be extremely daunting. Laws vary from one state to another; however, the law generally is the same regarding condemning an offender. Before a defendant goes to jail, there is a presentence hearing that is held. This is the deciding element between jail time, probation, or maybe fines. The reason for a presentence hearing is to assess who you are as a person and discuss your experiences prior to deciding your ramification for any serious crimes.
A probation officer will be in attendance to survey you and your criminal history. Your criminal history, regardless of the extent of the crime, will show what kind of individual you are and whether you are a habitual perpetrator. They may also need to see your work history. If you have a history of maintaining legal and steady work this will assist with demonstrating that you are capable of being a good part of society and carrying on in a way of life that isn’t unpredictable, criminal, or dangerous. Since the probation officer may not know you, character reference interviews can assist a great deal. It helps that those that realize you best have incredible things to say about you, your character, and your commitment to everyone around you and society. Character witnesses may show that you are a necessary member of your community. These statements may reference you as an incredible parent to children that need you around, they may show that what you were being accused of isn’t your usual behavior. These details matter in a presentence meeting, all the information you assemble can play a huge role in determining your future. The best way to prepare for these interviews is to prepare your loved ones for questioning, and to even take part in community activities; maybe even commit to some community service. Should you or anybody you know be accused of any criminal offense, a skilled criminal defense attorney in your area may be able to help prepare you for your presentence meeting by advising you on ways to potentially get the best outcome. It is best to look for legal representation, as the Criminal Defense Attorneys, at The Lynch Law Group at the earliest opportunity.