Found an issue on this page? Let us know and we will look into it as soon as possible.
Would It be a good idea to write a letter to a judge , the attorney , or both ?
Anonymous6 views4 answers
My boyfriend is in custody for a probation violation for failure to report . His first offer was 5 years in prison . Another announcement is held next Friday . Would it be a good idea to write the judge a letter showing that he still good qualities despite the trouble he was in and explain why I think he should be reinstated ? Also could an inmate write the judge or lawyer ?
People can certainly write letters on your boyfriend's behalf, but I would provide the letters to your boyfriend's attorney and let him or her determine whether or not to provide it to the court. Sometimes things you think will be helpful may not work in a person's favor when it comes to the courts.
Do not write anything and send it to the judge. The judge won't ethically be allowed to look at it in that manner anyhow. If you want to write a letter to the lawyer who represents your boyfriend, then that would be okay, but why not just speak with the lawyer and ask him or her how they can best utilize your input? You and your boyfriend should be talking with his lawyer. Period. Also, keep in mind that jail mail is oftentimes monitored, so it's not a good idea to send anything from the jail that the inmate wouldn't want the government's lawyers to see.
Never write to the judge. If you do that, the letter goes into the courts file and the Prosecutor can look at it. So, for example if you say that your boyfriend is sorry for this and he's a really good guy. The Prosecutor can then use that if he can't prove his case or if he needs extra fuel to prove his case and call you to the stand and have you admit that you wrote to the judge saying your boyfriend is guilty.
It is the job of your attorney to show how great of a guy your boyfriend is. In a motion to revoke, there are many options of how to take care of the case. Most of those options involve putting people on the stand to say good things about him. You should seek advise from his attorney or hire an attorney if he does not have one.
My advice is never write a letter to anyone from jail for reason it is subject to being viewed by the government . The better practice is for the attorney to visit the client in jail as these communications are part of the "attorney/client privilege" and therefore are held in confidence. Any character letters should be directed to the attorney representing the accused so that a decision could be made as to what would be used in court.
