Commutation is a last resort to shorten or end your prison sentence after all possible appeals have been exhausted.It is rare and requires extensive outside support from friends, family, and members of your community.Support for your cause is needed to prepare for a commutation.If you were convicted of a federal crime, you will need to convince your state governor and the president to commute your sentence.
Step 1: Call your trial attorney.
As you prepare to submit a commutation petition, your strongest resources may be the attorneys who represented you at trial or on appeal.Attorneys who have worked with you can give you strong advice on what to include in your petition, as they already have a good understanding of your case.If you want to get in contact with the judge, prosecuting attorney, and others involved in your court case, your trial attorney is a good source.Talk to your attorney about what they can do for you.If they agree to represent you and assist you directly with your petition, you should get a written retainer agreement that outlines specifically the assistance they're providing and what, if any, fees you will be charged.
Step 2: Make a list of outside advocates.
Outside advocates include friends and family members who are not currently imprisoned and are able to mobilize and advocate for your commutation publicly.You should choose people who are passionate about your case.Start with the people closest to you.The support team should be organized by these people.Make sure anyone who is willing to serve as your outside advocate knows how much time and effort will be involved.Your cause will benefit from the strengths of your friends and family.People's strengths may be able to provide more value if you play to them.If you know someone who is tech savvy, they may be willing to create a website that can serve as a home base for your commutation campaign.
Step 3: Seek assistance from non profit organizations.
There are many nonprofits that can help you get a commutation.It is possible that these organizations will be able to bring publicity to your case and rally your members and the public to support you.You can find information about nonprofit organizations that provide assistance and guidance for prisoners by talking to case managers at your prison.You can find information and resources in the library.Don't just look for guidance regarding commutation, but also information about networking, starting a business, or organizing political campaigns.Many of the strategies used in those contexts can benefit your efforts to have your sentence commuted.
Step 4: You can create a list of supporters.
Start a list of people who might support your commutation.You may be able to convince people you haven't met to support your efforts.Ask your friends and family to help you come up with names and contact information for people who could be sympathetic.Community leaders and other public officials are what you want to focus on.Some of these people may decline to lend you their support.A brief information letter that you can send to people who may not know you or be familiar with your situation can be built by talking to your outside advocates.The strongest points in favor of the commutation of your sentence should be emphasized in the letter.
Step 5: There is a social media presence.
Work with your outside advocates to create active social media accounts that will be used to help organize your supporters and provide news and status updates about your case.Supporters can follow and stay up-to-date on developments in your case through social media accounts.You can tell your story in your own way, and you can be in control of the information put out about your case.Outside advocates who are leading your support team can use social media to communicate with as many people as possible.You will eventually get media coverage for your case.Resources and reference material can be found on active social media accounts.
Step 6: Check for forms and instructions.
State and federal governments have forms that you can use to draft your petition.These forms usually come with instructions on how to fill them out.You can request a form from your case manager.You can find forms for requesting a commutation in your prison's law library.Make sure you read the instructions carefully.Make sure you are eligible for a commutation by checking the eligibility requirements listed in the instructions.If you don't understand the instructions, you can ask an attorney to explain them to you.You don't want to make a mistake if you misinterpreted an instruction.
Step 7: The facts should be presented correctly.
Government agents will conduct a background check on you after you submit your petition.They will find out the truth if you lie.Your court records should be accurate with respect to the facts you present in your petition.If you have doubts about something, consult an attorney to check the court record.Not leaving anything out is part of being honest.You may be tempted to avoid negative or unflattering facts, but they can get you into trouble and result in a denial of your commutation before it even reaches the governor's desk.
Step 8: Accept that you are responsible for your actions.
All of your appeals have been exhausted.Your petition for commutation is not the place to argue that a mistake was made, that the law was wrongly applied to you, or that your constitutional rights were violated.Your conviction will be assumed to be valid by the government agents and attorneys who review your petition.You don't have an opportunity to try your case again if you petition for a commutation.It's important that you state the facts of your case in a clear, upfront manner without attempting to minimize your actions or blame other people.If drugs or alcohol were involved in your crime, don't blame them.It is possible that you would not have committed a crime if you weren't high or drunk, but remember, you were the one who made the decision to consume drugs or alcohol.
Step 9: You should show remorse for your actions.
Accepting responsibility requires showing remorse.It is important that your statements of remorse are genuine.You should make it clear that you are sorry for committing the crime, not just for being caught.Accept that your criminal activity had a negative impact on other people and society at large.Mention the crime you committed and express your remorse for that person.If you've apologized to your victim, you should include that information in your petition.If you want to improve your community and become a productive member of society, state how committed you are to obeying the law in the future.
Step 10: If you have any prison issues, address them.
You have been a model prisoner and kept out of trouble.If you have any prison discipline on your record, you need to explain them in your petition.Just as with the conviction itself, express remorse for any actions in prison that resulted in punishments.Explain how you have changed and the efforts you've made to improve your conduct if you had a change in attitude or actions.Don't blame others or make excuses for bad behavior in prison.For the purposes of your petition for commutation, you need to own your actions, even if you were in the wrong place.
Step 11: Efforts should be demonstrated toward rehabilitation.
It is relevant to show that you are committed to changing your life after receiving therapy or counseling in prison.Education shows an effort to rehabilitate.If you've taken classes and earned your GED while in prison, this information should be included in your petition for commutation.Any training or other work you've done towards getting a job in a particular field should be included.You might have taken computer programming classes while in prison.It's relevant to your case if you've received addiction treatment for drugs or alcohol.If it's been a long time, emphasize the length of time you've been drug- or alcohol-free.
Step 12: Tell us about your plans for the future.
You should include information about what you will do if you are released early from prison.Let the governor or president know how you plan to make a difference in your community.State what you want.If you want to have the remaining 10 years of your sentence reduced to five, you can ask to get out with time served.You need to give reasons for your request.The officials who review your petition will want to see that you have a plan for when you get out, as well as a support system that will keep you out of trouble.Concrete details can be useful.Mention the discussions you've had with someone on the outside about working at a particular business when you get out.
Step 13: Have someone look over your petition.
It's important that you make the best impression, because commutations are very rare.You can submit a handwritten petition from prison, but it doesn't give you the best chance of success.An attorney may be able to review your petition.The facts in your petition can be compared to your court records.An attorney will have a good idea of what you want to say, but be careful not to introduce a lot of legalese or make it seem like your petition was written by someone else.The document should be clearly written by you, not an attorney, a close friend or family member.The difference between acceptance and denial of your petition won't be determined by a couple of typos.A clean, well-edited petition will stand out.
Step 14: You can get support letters.
You want to submit letters from family, friends and community leaders who support your commutation along with your petition.These letters should be written by people who understand what you're going through.You can get as many support letters as you want.The letters should be brief and to the point.If you want your supporters to type their letters, keep them to one or two pages.The letter needs to be at least three or four paragraphs.The first paragraph should ask for your commutation.The closing paragraph has the same information as the introductory paragraph.The person's relationship to you and why they are writing to support your petition are described in the letters.Information about why they think your sentence is too long, why you're needed at home, and what your plans are when you get out can be included.It's important that the letters are written by the supporter and not scripted by you or one of your outside advocates.Three individual, personal letters will do you more good than a dozen scripted letters that all say the same thing.
Step 15: Work with the judge and prosecutor.
The judge who presided over your trial and the prosecutor who argued for your conviction are important allies.They may be willing to advocate for your release if you can convince them that you are successfully rehabilitated.If you can have an opportunity to speak with these people in person, talk to your attorney.Write a letter to them if that's not possible.Explain your situation to them.You need to include a copy of your petition.If they want to ask questions, invite them to contact you.You might want to give them contact information for a couple of your outside advocates or the attorney who has been helping you.
Step 16: Seek the support of elected officials.
Getting other elected officials on board with your case can help improve your chances of being granted a commutation.You can send a letter to your state legislators or members of congress just like you did to the judge and prosecuting attorney.Explain your case in your letter.Discuss the efforts you've made towards rehabilitation and the reasons you believe you should be granted a commutation of your sentence.Information about the plans you have to support and improve your community will be included.If the elected officials have any questions, invite them to contact you.
Step 17: Required documents should be gathered.
Along with your petition and letters of support, you may be required to submit various court or government documents.Specific court documents, your pre sentencing report, and any documents that support facts you set forth in your petition are included in these documents.The documents you're required to include with your petition will be included in the instructions.If you need help getting copies of these documents, contact your attorney or one of your outside advocates.
Step 18: Send your packet of documents to the appropriate government office.
Make at least one copy of everything for your own records and give it to one of your advocates for safekeeping once you have all the necessary documents together.The instructions for completing the form will include the address where your documents must be sent.Prepare to wait after submitting your documents.It can take between two and seven years to get a final decision on your petition if you are in federal prison.You should not expect to receive a decision for at least a year.