Bottom line…Sentencing Investigations can offer you – the private law practitioner or public defender - an added dimension to your defense team. Get vigorous defense for your client!

“Thanks for all your help. I know how much you have done to facilitate the great result (sentence) he got today. I wanted to express my gratitude to you!” 
- Public Defender (Adult Defendant)

Just in the last decade there has been significant growth in Defense-Based Sentencing Concepts. Many criminal defense law practices have come to embrace this concept…why?

• Enhanced plea negotiations.
• More cases have been won.
• It provides the prosecution and the court with increased options other than the myopic and ineffective answer of incarceration.
• Facilitates treatment program referrals.
• Prepares the client for the probation interview (an informed and prepared client makes for a better interview during this crucial process).
• Responds to the potentially damaging probation sentencing report and recommendations.
• These reports are client-based, not crime-based, which in effect, humanizes the client to the court and prosecution.

“I just finished reading your report. You did an amazing job with this!”
- Public Defender (Juvenile 707 Fitness Report)

How Can A Defense-Based Sentencing Concept Impact The Proceedings?

Probation sentencing reports and recommendations place a very heavy burden on the defense team since courts accept this information and recommendations 80% or more of the time!

“I would highly recommend Sentencing Investigations to all those who feel that their case is beyond hope. We faced 9 years of
prison and in the end we got 3 years of probation. When the court can see humanity in a lost soul, they can understand that many factors make a man who he is.”      - Public Defender

A Defense-Based Sentencing Report provides the crucial balance to this process by:

• Giving alternatives to Judicial Officers as to what was asked by the prosecution.
• Explaining how important factors in a client’s life have contributed to the offensive behavior.
• Addressing the client’s potential treatment or other needs for criminal rehabilitation.
• Providing up-to-date information and current knowledge about available community resources and programs.
• Suggesting means to incorporate into a sentence, potential solutions to the problem which the crime represents for both society and the defendant.
• Offering creative/critical thinking presented in a compelling format.
• Integrating photographic images for added impact and dimension.
• Providing a non-adversarial response, to the potentially damaging Probation Report. There are many areas in these Probation Reports which may tilt the proceedings in one way or another. Integration of research/studies in fields of forensic social work, psychology, criminology and related disciplines are supportive to the defense.

“On my more than twenty years on the bench, this is the best sentencing memorandum I have read.”
- Judge of the Superior Court, Long Beach, California

Get vigorous defense for your client!