Jim Finnel
Fallen Cannabis Warrior & Ex News Moderator
Jovan Jackson is Due Back in Court for his Sentencing Hearing on December 15th 2010 at 9am in Department 15 (Judge Howard Shore) Please come out and help us pack the courtroom!
If you would like to help with his case, please write a positive character reference letter for Jovan and email it to Lance Rogers, Jackson’s attorney at cannabislawyer@yahoo.com
Mr. Jackson is appealing his case and will be represented on appeal by Joe Elford, Americans for Safe Access Chief Legal Counsel. On December 15, Mr. Jackson and Mr. Elford will be in court together.
How to Write a Letter to the Judge Before Sentencing
1. Know how to address the judge. Incorrectly addressing the judge gives a very bad first impression. Before the Judge gets a chance to read all the great things you have to say in your letter, he has already focused on the first negative. This could easily influence his attitude or mood while reading the rest of the letter. It is important that your letter not contain any information that can lead to negative impressions with the judge.
2. Ensure the formalities of the letter are correct. The letter should contain your return address, the date and the correct salutation to the judge.
3. Your letter should be between 1 and 2 pages long. Letters that are too short will suggest that you lacked anything worthwhile to say and will reflect badly on the person you are writing the letter for. Letters that are too long will lose the attention of the judge and could come off as ‘trying to hard’ to influence or sway the decision of the judge.
4. Identify yourself and your relationship to the defendant. At the beginning of your letter you should state your name, occupation and your relationship to the person you are writing the letter for. This establishes clearly in the mind of the judge who you are and why you are qualified to write a character reference for the individual.
5. Do not diminish the seriousness of the offense. You are not writing the letter to change the mind of the judge. You are writing to give an identity and insight to the person being sentenced. In the letter it is important to recognize the seriousness of the offense, its impact on the victim and society. It is not your job to try to change the judge’s mind but provide information that may give some understanding of the person being judged.
6. Give the person you are writing about an identity. One of the most important functions of your letter is to help the judge see who your loved one, friend, or colleague is beyond the crime. Include in your letter details about your long and positive relationship with the defendant showing him/her as a trustworthy and caring friend or family member.
Eugene Davidovich
T: 619-621-8446
San Diego Americans for Safe Access
www.SafeAccessSD.org
If you would like to help with his case, please write a positive character reference letter for Jovan and email it to Lance Rogers, Jackson’s attorney at cannabislawyer@yahoo.com
Mr. Jackson is appealing his case and will be represented on appeal by Joe Elford, Americans for Safe Access Chief Legal Counsel. On December 15, Mr. Jackson and Mr. Elford will be in court together.
How to Write a Letter to the Judge Before Sentencing
1. Know how to address the judge. Incorrectly addressing the judge gives a very bad first impression. Before the Judge gets a chance to read all the great things you have to say in your letter, he has already focused on the first negative. This could easily influence his attitude or mood while reading the rest of the letter. It is important that your letter not contain any information that can lead to negative impressions with the judge.
2. Ensure the formalities of the letter are correct. The letter should contain your return address, the date and the correct salutation to the judge.
3. Your letter should be between 1 and 2 pages long. Letters that are too short will suggest that you lacked anything worthwhile to say and will reflect badly on the person you are writing the letter for. Letters that are too long will lose the attention of the judge and could come off as ‘trying to hard’ to influence or sway the decision of the judge.
4. Identify yourself and your relationship to the defendant. At the beginning of your letter you should state your name, occupation and your relationship to the person you are writing the letter for. This establishes clearly in the mind of the judge who you are and why you are qualified to write a character reference for the individual.
5. Do not diminish the seriousness of the offense. You are not writing the letter to change the mind of the judge. You are writing to give an identity and insight to the person being sentenced. In the letter it is important to recognize the seriousness of the offense, its impact on the victim and society. It is not your job to try to change the judge’s mind but provide information that may give some understanding of the person being judged.
6. Give the person you are writing about an identity. One of the most important functions of your letter is to help the judge see who your loved one, friend, or colleague is beyond the crime. Include in your letter details about your long and positive relationship with the defendant showing him/her as a trustworthy and caring friend or family member.
Eugene Davidovich
T: 619-621-8446
San Diego Americans for Safe Access
www.SafeAccessSD.org
