Dr. M Blatstein's Blog

INDICTED: The Power of Your Probation Officer and Sway with YOUR JUDGE

The Power of Your Probation Officer and Sway with YOUR JUDGE
Hello, and thank you for tuning into my Video series, INDICTED AND FACING PRISON: NOW WHAT?
My name is Marc Blatstein. In 2006, I, too, was Indicted and convicted of a felony, and I lost my medical license. To call this a life-altering event, at best, is an understatement. With work, I was able to get my license to practice reinstated.
Prison is Temporary – a plan is helpful.

While Probation Officers are overworked and have little time, they also have the ear and respect of your Judge, so if you can share your story with them successfully, that is a win!

  • Ideally, You want everything provided to the Probation Officer 1-2 weeks before the Presentence Interview, organized and spellchecked.
  • Providing everything that they have requested including your Personal Narrative, Release Plan, and Ten of the best Character Letters. If done right, your narrative should contain all of the information your officer will need to fill out in their Presentence Report Worksheet.
  • Well written, a Personal NARRATIVE should contain all the information your Probation Officer needs
  • “Why? 
    • Being overworked and having no time, some may appreciate counsel’s effort in organizing everything they’ve requested and providing it to them early.
    • They can now take their time to fill in their Probation Report Worksheet.
    • Then, on the day of the interview, they’ll have the time to get to know you personally and ask any remaining questions they may have.
    • At the end of their meeting, the Probation Officer may feel that the defendant took this seriously, leaving them with a more positive view of who you are, different from the person referenced in their Indictment.”
  • It provides information about the offense for which the defendant is being sentenced,  Acceptance of Responsibility and Victim Remorse statement, Release Plan, and where the sentencing guidelines apply.
    • This includes background information about the defendant, such as
    • Criminal history, education, work experience, family background, and health history,
    • A Realistic Sentence Recommendation and BOP Placement Request Could Also Be Included.
· You will be asked to provide a lot of information, which needs to be comprehensive, accurate, and free of spelling errors. This includes copies of;
  1. All Biographical and Personal Identification information
  2. Birth or baptismal certificate.
  3. Car registration papers
  4. Department of Welfare records.
  5. Details about addictions to substance use within the 12 months before the arrest, including Drugs, legal, illegal, or over-the-counter medications, alcohol, sex crime, or Gambling.
  6. Detainers Resolved.
  7. Divorce decree.
  8. Draft registration card.
  9. Employment verification (paystubs).
  10. Immigration papers or passports.
  11. Income tax reports for the last three years.
  12. Marriage certificate.
  13. Medical Records: Hospital – Surgical – Pathology and Blood Lab Reports, Copies of X-ray, MRI, CT, Ultrasound, PET Scans, EEG, EKG reports (on Flash Drives or CDs), Prescriptions for Medications and Medical Devices.
  14. Military disability information(C-number).
  15. Military discharge certificate.
  16. Naturalization papers.
  17. Professional papers (certificates, licenses, or Seaman’s papers, permits).
  18. Proof of residence (rent receipts, property, mortgage papers, etc.)
  19. School diplomas.
  20. Social Security Card.
While not required, these are Strongly Encouraged as “Judges” want to get to know you and understand why you committed the crime.
  1. Release Plan
  2. Your Personal Narrative or Autobiography
  3. Character Reference Letters
It is best to provide all of your information to the court officer (Probation Officer) one week before your meeting after it has been organized and completed.