Legal Question in Criminal Law in Virginia

court charges in circuit court

I was sentenced to ten years in prison,served three years and eight months. Was released on parole. Was not told nothing by my parole officer or defence lawyer that I owed any fines. I completed my parole and years later, thirty years later decided to file a partition to have my rights restored. I got a letter from the Governor's office stating that I had a form or letter missing from my paperwork stating that I don't owe any court fees or fines and directed me to go to the clerks office to get the information. I went to the clerks office to find out that I owe cost of court charges of more that 1,600 dollars, plus thirty years of interest. Total of over 5,000 dollars. Can I bring charges of neglect on the part of my lawyer and parole officer for not letting me know about this charge when I was released from prison and placed on parole. Have them pay the Interest charges.


Asked on 2/08/08, 10:20 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Michael Hendrickson Law Office Michael E. Hendrickson

Re: court charges in circuit court

No, a better approach would be for you to file a petition with the court which sentenced you to have all of the accumulated fines and costs forgiven or dismissed for the reasons which you've mentioned, and also referencing the fact that you are seeking a restoration of rights from the Governor and therefore need to be able to show that there are no fines or costs still outstanding from your case. And, if you can by chance also demonstrate that you've been a law abiding and productive citizen over the intervening 30 years, all the better.

I wish you luck with this effort to gain a restoration of your rights under the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia.

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Answered on 2/08/08, 11:03 pm


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