Hope is not lost: pardons and commutations of sentence

joebod — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 13:45:09 +0000

I recently was able to accomplish the seemingly impossible task of getting a client’s sentence communted to a “time served” disposition. My client had been convicted of DUI with serious bodily injury, and sentenced to 17 years in prison. 17 years!!! His appeal was unsuccessful, and there were no other real remedies in the State courts (i.e. post-conviction motions). So, he turned to the Florida Parole Commission.

This is case exemplifies two things. First, that Florida’s sentencing scheme is too punitive, and far to hard to get sentences reduced and properly reviewed in the courts. Second, that there is always hope, even after all other remedies in the courts have been exhausted.

Here is a link to the St. Pete Times article about the case (cut and paste it into the browser): http://www.tampabay.com/SearchForwardServlet.do?articleId=611251.

Thanks to the family that were victimizd by my client’s actions. They had the power of forgiveness and kindness, and imparted that upon my client. They cooperated with efforts to have the sentenced commuted.

Additionally, thanks to Governor Christ, Attorney General McCullum, CFO Sink, and Commissioner Bronson for granting the commutation.

Joe Bodiford's Blog » communtation of sentence

Hope is not lost: pardons and commutations of sentence