Reduce the amount of time that you are sentenced for.
In lieu of a jail sentence, a person is placed on supervised release.Depending on the offense committed, the length of parole will depend.It can take up to three years for a serious offense like drug or sex to be removed from the record.A person needs to petition a court and explain why they should be shortening the period.You need to comply with the legal requirements of your state before you can do that.
Step 1: Find the law in your state.
If your state allows it to be done, there should be a law about it.There are requirements in the law.Some states will only allow for certain crimes to be shortened.If you were convicted of a sex offense in Texas, you can't shorten your sentence.You can type "your state" and "probation" into your browser.The text of your state statutes can be found on state websites.
Step 2: You should read the terms of your supervised release.
You need to understand what you were told to do.You should get a copy of the court order.Check to see if you have satisfied any of the conditions.If you don't have a copy, ask your officer for one.He or she should have it.
Step 3: Meet an attorney.
To fully understand your state's laws and to get advice on how to apply to shorten your parole, you should meet with an attorney.A criminal defense lawyer will listen to the facts of your case and make recommendations.The lawyer can help you file the motion in court.If you want to find an experienced criminal defense attorney, you should visit your state bar association.Choose a Criminal Defense Lawyer is a good place to start.It is possible to hire an attorney to offer limited assistance.In most states attorneys can now offer unbundled legal services, even if costs are a concern.Instead of taking over the entire representation, the attorney agrees to perform some tasks.It is possible to keep legal costs down with limited scope representation.
Step 4: You need to complete a certain percentage of your sentence.
State laws may require you to complete a certain percentage of your sentence before you can petition the court to shorten it.You must complete at least 50% of your sentence in Wisconsin.If you were ordered to serve three years but only one year, then you don't qualify.
Step 5: You must complete the conditions of your sentence.
You may have had a lot of conditions imposed on you.You might have been ordered to pay for your crime.The judge may have ordered you to perform community service.If you haven't completed the conditions, a judge is unlikely to shorten your sentence.Keeping drug-free is one of the conditions of parole.If you want to shorten your period, you will need not to slip up.Other conditions include avoiding the commission of another crime and completing certain classes.
Step 6: You should gather evidence that you have completed the conditions.
You should be prepared to show that you have completed all the necessary conditions.Hold onto your certificate of completion if you were required to take a class.If you paid the money into a court, you should produce your canceled checks or the receipt you received from the court.
Step 7: Discuss it with your officer.
You should tell your officer that you want to shorten your sentence.If you want to make a strong case for yourself, ask the officer what you can do.Follow any advice given to you.You will be allowed to testify at the hearing about whether or not you deserve to be terminated or modified.It is in your best interests to follow his or her advice and address any weaknesses before petitioning the court to shorten your sentence.
Step 8: You need to get a form petition.
You might be able to use the forms printed by the courts.The clerk of the court should be able to tell you if a form is available.Colorado has a form that can be found at www.courts.state.co.us/userfiles/file/Court_Probation-20th_Judicial_District.
Step 9: Do you want to draft a petition?
You will need to draft your own petition if no form is available.If you have an attorney, he can draft it for you.Try to find a sample motion for your state if you need to draft it on your own.Look to see if there are any sample motions that you can use as models after you create a search string in your browser.The information at the top is what you will include when typing up your motion.There is a way to pull information from an old motion.The names of the parties, the case number, and the judge are included in the header.The title should be in all caps.The sample uses a title.In the first paragraph, identify yourself and if you are representing yourself.You can type in the name of the person you want the court to modify his sentence for.In support of this motion, the person states, "Then, list the facts in numbered format: The date you were placed on parole."The length of the sentence for the person.You committed no violations during the period of supervision.There have been no violation papers filed during the period of supervision.The conditions of the supervision have been completed.When you last met with him or her, you should have known about this.The name of the officer who does not object to an early termination.Add a conclusion.You can type "WHERE FORE, Defendant respectfully requests that this Honorable Court grant this Motion and issue an Order modifying/terminating parole in this case."
Step 10: The petition needs to be signed by a person.
The petition should be signed by you.Wait until you appear before the public before signing the motion.You can find notary blocks on the internet.Beneath the conclusion of your motion, insert the block.In most large banks and the courthouse, you can find a public notary public.
Step 11: If you want to file the petition, you must do so.
Take all the copies of your motion to the courthouse.You should tell the court clerk that you want to file the original.All of your copies should have the clerk date stamp on them.Depending on the court, you will probably have to pay a filing fee.If you can't afford the filing fee, ask the court clerk for a fee waiver form and fill it out.
Step 12: Have a court date.
When you file your petition, you may have to pick up a court date.You will have to fill out a Notice of Hearing form if that is the case.If you need to do this, ask the court clerk.Some courts will mail you the court hearing at a later date, notifying all of the parties.
Step 13: You should serve notice.
You will need to send copies of your motion and notice of hearing to the district attorney.You should schedule notice as soon as possible after you file.What are the acceptable methods of service?The sheriff, a private process server, or someone over the age of 18 can serve the papers in person.If you use a process server, you will have to pay a fee.Sheriffs cost a little less than process server.You can't serve the papers on your own.Proof of service must be filled out by the person who makes personal service.Ask the court clerk for the form and give it to the server.You should file the Proof of Service with the court once it is returned to you.
Step 14: Prepare yourself for the hearing.
You can review your petition.Take with you any relevant paperwork.Discuss what questions the judge may ask you if you have a lawyer.It is your job at the hearing to convince the judge that you are a good person.You have to show that you have changed.It's possible that your attorney has ideas about what evidence you could present to support your motion.You can get a character reference letter from someone who knows you.
Step 15: Arrive earlier.
You should have plenty of time to find parking and go through security at the courthouse.At least 15 minutes before the hearing is supposed to start, you should be in the appropriate courtroom.All food and drinks should be consumed before entering the courthouse for the hearing.
Step 16: It's important to dress appropriately.
You need to look presentable at the court hearing.Although you don't have to wear a suit, men should wear long pants with a collared shirt.Try to wear a tie.You should be wearing socks with your shoes.Women should wear a dress, skirt, or pants with a blouse or sweater.In no circumstance should you wear shorts, hats, halter or see-through tops, flip-flops, belly shirts, torn jeans, or low-hanging pants.Don't wear clothing that has offensive language or imagery on it.
Step 17: You should present your case.
You have to convince the judge that shortening your sentence is necessary.You will go first.If the judge wanted to raise new points not in the motion, you could repeat what was in your motion.The judge might have questions for you.All questions should be answered honestly and respectfully.The judge should be addressed as "Your Honor" or "Judge".
Step 18: Listen to the prosecutor
The prosecutor will speak at the hearing.He or she will state the reasons for opposing or supporting shortening your sentence.Your officer can attend the hearing and give an opinion to the judge about whether or not you should be terminated early.The judge may want to continue the hearing until the officer shows up.Judges place a lot of weight on the opinion of the officer.
Step 19: Put the order in the draft.
The judge may have a clerk draft the order.The party who wins often has to write up the order.You should use blank forms in the courtroom.On the conviction date, you can write, "It is hereby ordered that the supervision imposed on the above-named defendant is terminated."
Step 20: If necessary apply again.
If you don't win at the hearing, the judge should tell you when you can apply again.If not, be sure to ask.You may be able to appeal.You should check with a lawyer to see if an appeal is worthwhile.