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| Felony convictions more than just prison |
| By wyomingnews.com - Kelsey Bray |
| Published: 07/09/2012 |
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CHEYENNE -- Before Jeff was sentenced to prison, he knew he was heading down the wrong path. Jeff (a real Cheyenne resident, but not his real name) was struggling with addiction. "I know right from wrong when I'm sober, but the line gets blurred when I'm not," he said. A judge sentenced him to nine to 15 years in prison for felony burglary. After the sentence was handed down, Jeff would spend the next eight-and-a-half years in Wyoming prisons recovering from his addiction. Prison is one of several options for felony offenders. Along with several levels of probation, there also are five different correctional facilities in the state. A felony is defined in terms of possible punishment. In Wyoming, crimes punishable by death or imprisonment for more than one year are felonies. Felony sentences are imposed by judges, usually with the help of a pre-sentence report. The report provides details about the offender, their criminal history and the circumstances surrounding the crime. Another common tool used for sentencing is a plea agreement. A plea agreement allows a person accused of a crime to plead guilty in exchange for a more favorable settlement. “Many times pleas will include reducing charges somewhat so the defendant doesn’t face a higher penalty,” Laramie County District Attorney Scott Homar said. Plea agreements are based on factors such as the nature of the offense and the criminal history of the defendant. “Generally, it’s something that’s negotiated,” said state public defender Diane Lozano. “It’s a recommendation agreed on by the prosecutor and the defense attorney.” Homar said plea agreements are used in a vast majority of proceedings because of the number of felony cases in Laramie County. “It’s impossible to try every case,” he said. “We only have so many attorneys. Plea agreements are a necessary thing.” And after a defendant pleads or is found guilty, the judge must decide on an appropriate sentence. Read More. |
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Plea agreements can put undue pressure to "cave" to intimidation or pressure and may well work against the inmate. If the State "offers" a plea agreement they already know their case may be weak for many, if not all of the mounds of charges that they dig up all the way back to the days of the cave man. No parole, probation or plea bargains should be considered in my humble opinion. Such things only work for the economic advantage of the state.