Legal Question in Criminal Law in California

My husband committed bank robbery. When he was arrested he confessed to his crimes. The FBI told him they had two other banks that were robbed and they wanted him to confess to doing them. My husband told them he didn't rob those banks only the ones he told them about. In order for him to get the deal they were offering him they had him sign confessions saying he did all the banks they had on their list. They said if he didn't they would make sure he got 120 years. He signed and got 40 years. Is there anything that can be done about them threating my husband into signing things he didn't do out of fear of getting 120 years a trial? Is federal parole going to be reinstated?
Thank you

Asked on 8/19/10, 8:24 pm

2 Answers from Attorneys

Edward Hoffman Law Offices of Edward A. Hoffman

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Your husband should have asked for a lawyer when the FBI was questioning him. He evidently didn't do that. It sounds like he may have pled guilty without a lawyer, too. If so, there's probably very little that can be done now. Pleading guilty makes it essentially impossible to argue that there were problems with the evidence, including his signed confession. There may be defects in the plea, but nothing you have written suggests that there were. Your husband should have an attorney review his plea just in case, but the odds are not good.

I'm afraid your husband's chances of being paroled anytime soon are essentially zero.

Sorry I can't be more encouraging.

Answered on 8/24/10, 9:15 pm

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