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Pre-sentencing

Interview with Mark

JM: Tell us about the pre-sentencing process:
Mark: somerset is very slow when it comes to be sentenced.it usually takes up to 3-4 months,but while your in jail,it could take up to 8 months.they will do a pre-sentence investigation to look at your back history so the judge can sentence you within the guidelines of your crime.and while most other counties will barter with time in order to get a guilty plea from you,somerset does not make deals with time,they will how ever drop charges in order to get your guilty plea.so,you will never be given a offer of time for the sentence your going to serve,only a deal of charges they might drop if you plead guilty.

JM: Did you have police stop by your house for questioning? If not please give us details on how you came to be arrested.
Mark: i was stopped in a car that had run out of gas,and a passing car called for help,and the officer assumed that we were smuggling drugs from Pittsburgh to somerset,and i was arrested for drug paraphernalia,released that night and then was mailed my charges and paperwork for my court date.everything is very slow in somerset,the whole process of everything seems to take forever in this county.

JM: What was court like? Please give as many details as you recall.
Mark: court was somewhat typical,the have the docket that goes in order of your last name,they will call you,go over your charges,and they will ask you questions of where you live and if you can understand everything the judge has spoke to you,which is always the same speech,he will go down and tell you the max sentence allowed and tell you that he could sentence you up to that amount of time,and he will do that for each charge.then,he will review your presentence investigation and sentence you to the according guidelines for your charge.overall the court process is very slow.

JM: What were your original charges? What did you end up being convicted of?
Mark: my charges where poss.of drug paraphernalia,theft from a motor vehicle,RSP(receiving stolen property),and i was convicted of all the charges.

Read about sentencing in the Somerset County Jail