JTC Commutation of Sentence Program©

The Bureau of Prisons (BOP) has a program  with procedures and guidelines by which a federally sentenced inmate may file a Petition for Commutation of Sentence in accordance with the proper statutes and laws set forth in 28 C.F.R. Part 1. In a Petition for Commutation of Sentence the inmate may seek four different types of relief. They are: 

 1.     Reduction in Prison Sentence only;
 2.     Remission of Fine and/or Restitution only;
 3.     Reduction of Prison Sentence and Remission of Fine and/or Restitution; and,
 4.     Reduction of a period of probation, supervised release, or special parole.  

There is not a defined list of circumstances or conditions which would qualify an inmate for a Commutation of Sentence. Each case is decided on its individual merits. We provide the appropriate forms, research, documentation, and instructions then actually complete the Petition for Commutation of Sentence for you. The inmate signs the application and it is delivered. We explain the whole process to you as to what happens at each step of the way.

It is important to note that the Bureau of Prisons’ staff may not refuse to process an inmate’s Petition even if they feel that the inmate is not eligible. Additionally, the BOP cannot forward any recommendation, negative or positive, with the Petition when it is submitted. That way if you do not have a good relationship with the Unit Team, Warden, etc., they cannot negatively affect the process.

Initially, we give you a specifically constructed COS (Commutation of Sentence) Questionnaire© that you fill out and return to us. We gather all the facts of your case and your personal history including family medical information, family history, personal data, as well as any other information and documentation that would be helpful in your Petition.   Almost any crime committed can be commuted. The following is a breakdown and listing of some of the various crimes that were pardoned or recently commuted. This is not a complete listing and only presents a representative sample of the crimes for which sentence commutations were granted.  
1.     Importation of cocaine;
2.     Conspiracy to commit money laundering;
3.     Income tax evasion;
4.     Unlawful distribution of marijuana;
5.     Perjury;
6.     Securities fraud and mail fraud;
7.     Wire fraud;
8.     Bank fraud;
9.     Conspiracy to defraud the government;
10.   Embezzlement by a bank employee;
11.   Distribution of methamphetamine;
12.   Racketeering conspiracy, racketeering, and violation of the Hobbs act;
13.   Armed bank robbery;
14.   Using a firearm during a felony;
15.   Medicaid and Medicare fraud;
16.   Conspiracy to possess heroin with intent to distribute;
17.   Harboring a fugitive;
18.   Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon;
19.   Possession of PCP with intent to distribute;
20.   Conspiracy to commit kidnapping;
21.   Burglary;
22.   Conspiracy to corruptly solicit and accept money in return for influencing the official acts of a federal district court judge, and to defraud the United States in connection with the performance of lawful government functions; corruptly influencing, obstructing, impeding and endeavoring to influence, obstruct and impede the due administration of justice, and aiding and abetting therein; traveling interstate with intent to commit bribery. 

JTC will gather and assess all these factors and determine if we feel the inmate would qualify for this program. This is the research and information gathering phase and is called the “COSP (Commutation of Sentence Program) Initial Assessment©”. If we feel that the inmate qualifies for the Commutation of Sentence Program and there is a reasonable chance of success we then proceed to the “Commutation of Sentence Submission Program ©”. If we feel that there is not a reasonable chance of success we inform our client and his/her family and no additional monies are due.

The “Commutation of Sentence Submission Program©” is only commenced if we and the inmate feel that after the Initial Assessment there is a reasonably good chance of success.  If we feel that there is not a reasonably good chance of success, nothing more is due and we do not move forward. If we proceed, we complete the necessary application and document in the application the circumstances for which Commutation of Sentence should be granted. As we complete the application for Commutation of Sentence we also research and provide all the supporting documentation, exhibits, extraordinary circumstances, information, records, and data from all the needed sources including medical history, family history, case history, financial history, psychological history, and any other required documentation and records. This is then submitted in the appropriate procedure to the inmate for submission.