While nobody wants to be sentenced in a criminal case, the reality is that most cases end with some manner of sentencing or another. Whether that is from a negotiated plea or following trial, sentencing is one of the most important stages of a criminal case. Advocates that understand that get better results for their clients.
Dan begins thinking about the negotiation, and trial, from the start of most cases he works on. Whether it’s developing the story of innocence, reduced guilt, or mitigation to be used for negotiation and later sentencing it must start early on in the case.
Everyone has a story that brings them before the Court. Finding and telling that story can make the difference between great results and horrible outcomes. Advocacy at sentencing is critical to the outcome of serious criminal cases.
Often Dan works with investigator(s), forensic social workers, and psychologists to help find and tell that story. Most Judges want to know who they are sentencing so they can make the best possible decisions about that person’s sentence.