Meeting with probation for Michigan DUI sentencing
Once you plead guilty or you've been convicted of a drunk driving offense in Michigan, it is time for sentencing. Hopefully by this time, you've already adopted a pro-active sentencing strategy, and have a plan in place. Your attorney should attempt to speak to the judge about the possible sentence; judges are not required to give any information about a possible sentence, but some routinely speak to the attorney about your sentence.
In order to be sentenced in Michigan, most judges will require you to go through a pre-sentence investigation (PSI), which will look into the facts of the case from the perspective of the prosecution and the defendant. This investigation will also look for any possible prior Michigan alcohol convictions, out-of-state convictions, and any prior criminal history to determine what sort of treatment you require.
The completed report will be used by the judge to determine your sentence. It will include everything relevant about your life and give the judge the big picture view. The report will also come with a recommended sentence by probation, which the judge may or may not follow. The report will be provided to your attorney, and you and your attorney will be able to address any inaccuracies in the report; any corrections made by the judge will be sent to the Michigan Department of Corrections. One important correction is time served on a case; if you've already sent 10 days in jail, but the report says 1 day, that could be 9 extra days spent in jail, because the correction was not made to your report.
Along with the results of the PSI, your attorney should prepare a sentencing memorandum for the court to highlight all of the reasons why the court should adopt a certain sentence. This memorandum should include reports of your success in treatment, excellent attendance, favorable alcohol testing results, letters from your employment and support from family and friends.
Once you plead guilty or you've been convicted of a drunk driving offense in Michigan, it is time for sentencing. Hopefully by this time, you've already adopted a pro-active sentencing strategy, and have a plan in place. Your attorney should attempt to speak to the judge about the possible sentence; judges are not required to give any information about a possible sentence, but some routinely speak to the attorney about your sentence.
In order to be sentenced in Michigan, most judges will require you to go through a pre-sentence investigation (PSI), which will look into the facts of the case from the perspective of the prosecution and the defendant. This investigation will also look for any possible prior Michigan alcohol convictions, out-of-state convictions, and any prior criminal history to determine what sort of treatment you require.
The completed report will be used by the judge to determine your sentence. It will include everything relevant about your life and give the judge the big picture view. The report will also come with a recommended sentence by probation, which the judge may or may not follow. The report will be provided to your attorney, and you and your attorney will be able to address any inaccuracies in the report; any corrections made by the judge will be sent to the Michigan Department of Corrections. One important correction is time served on a case; if you've already sent 10 days in jail, but the report says 1 day, that could be 9 extra days spent in jail, because the correction was not made to your report.
Along with the results of the PSI, your attorney should prepare a sentencing memorandum for the court to highlight all of the reasons why the court should adopt a certain sentence. This memorandum should include reports of your success in treatment, excellent attendance, favorable alcohol testing results, letters from your employment and support from family and friends.