Legal Question in Criminal Law in Texas

I am currently in a criminal court case and I have 4 felony charges against me. I was involved in grade changing scheme when I was in high school and I was recently indicted in march of 2009. Within the scheme I did the least out of everyone involved and was sent to the district alternative school as punishment. Out of the 14 students involved I was the only one who was sent to the alternative school for 1 full semester while all 13 other kids received 1 entire year. I received a less sentence at the alternative school beside my role was really at the bottom of the totem pole and the district realized that.

I was man enough to stay my entire punishment at the alternative school and I have accepted full responsibility of my actions I did when I was 17. I have moved on until recently when all of this resurfaced and now I am facing the case for my life and future.

Thus far my lawyer has asked me to send a transcript of grades (a&B's) and 3 recommendation letters. All of the letters pretty much stated that I am a respectable young man and that I am very remorseful for my actions.

Recently my lawyer asked me to write another letter this time pretty much summing up that I am remorseful for my actions, that I have a bright future, along with that I was the only one man enough to serve my entire punishment at the alternative school while other students involved just went to private school or dropped out of school. My lawyer then wants to present my letter to the procedure in my case

This letter that I need to write is the letter of my life and for my future. I am so nervous that I am not sure how to write this letter knowing the prosecutor will be reading it. What is the best way to come across in the letter where the prosecutor will hopefully have a understanding heart and realize that we all make mistakes and not try to throw the book at me.

I apologize for this being all over the place but hopefully someone was able to understand my situation and could shed some advice please. Thanks in advance


Asked on 9/15/10, 9:06 am

2 Answers from Attorneys

The best person to help you write your letter would be a teacher. You are on the right track and the content should come easy. I would ask a couple of teachers to proof your paper and make suggestions.

Generally you want to have:

Introduction

Body

Conclusion

You already know this but a guide to help is to think about this old saying, that there are 6 wise people who taught me all I need to know right now. Their names are who, what, when, where, why and how. Its lame but simplicity is a powerful writing tool. I can say this message in two ways:

It is imperative that all young people participate in elections by exercising their right to vote because if they do not they run the risk of being ignored by the elected officials who cater to ther constituents.

If YOU don't vote, you don't matter (to them).

On another note, discuss your involvement in the community, how this has changed your life, how you want to help others. etc

In the end, it should be easier than you think based on your writing style above.

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Answered on 9/21/10, 8:33 am
Keith Engelke Law Office of S. Keith Engelke

First, take about what your lawyer asked you to. Be honest. Be brief.

Also try not to sound like a lawyer, especially your lawyer. The prosecutor needs something to justify being lenient. Your lawyer has told you what you need to talk about.

You job is to give something that the prosecutor can point to with pride when asked why you received a better deal than the other defendants.

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Answered on 9/21/10, 10:41 am


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