WHAT IS SENTENCING SERVICES?
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___Since 1983, the Sentencing Services of One Step Further has provided the Court with plans that recommend specific forms of punishment and treatment for clients. Today, Sentencing Services is one of many Sentencing Services Programs that operates throughout the State of North Carolina.

WHAT IS A PLAN?

___A Sentencing Services plan is a written document that is presented to the Court to provide valuable information to the judge that can assist with sentencing the client to appropriate levels of supervision. For those clients that are in need of some kind of treatment - be it substance abuse or mental health treatment - a Sentencing Plan will connect them to treatment providers that are suited to treat that specific client.

A typical plan takes into account such things as:
  • A detailed social history
  • Results of any assessments given
  • Recommendations for Probation (where appropriate)
  • Mental Health needs
  
  • Education Needs
  • Victim Restitutuion
  • Employment
  • Substance Abuse needs
  • Residence
WHO IS ELIGIBLE?

 To be eligible for a Sentencing Plan a client must:
  • Be charged with a felony or misdemeanor that is eligible for either an active sentence or an intermediate sentence.
  • Not have been sentenced yet
  • Have their attorney or public defender's approval
  • Not be charged with any sex offenses or crimes involving a minor

 

  
Common Charges that One Step Further works with includes:
  • Breaking or Entering
  • Embezzlement
  • Possession of Stolen Goods
  • Larceny
  
  • Fraud
  • Possession/Sale of Drugs
  • Common Law Robbery

 

WHAT HAPPENS AT SENTENCING SERVICES?

___Sentencing Services can receive referrals from defense attorneys, judges, district attorneys, clients, and community residents. If the referral comes from the client or a community resident, Sentencing Services must first get the attorney or public defender's approval to work on the plan. Once approval has been established, a sentencing specialist is assigned to the case and they will:

  • Interview the defendant
  • Verify as much information provided by the client as possible
  • Asess the client's risk to re-offend on community supervision
  • Assess the degree of the client's drug and alcohol use
  • Arrange any further evaluations that are necessary
  • Link the client to resources that can address causes of his/her criminal behavior
  • Present the information in a written plan for the sentencing judge

WHO BENEFITS?

  • The judge makes a more informed decision based on the defendant's plan.
  • The victim can be repaid
  • The defendants remain in the community to work, support their families, pay taxes, and repay
    the community for their criminal behavior.
  • The taxpayer saves tax dollars when fewer nonviolent defendants are incarcerated.

HOW MUCH DOES A SENTENCING SERVCES PLAN COST?

___The cost of a Sentencing Plan for the client is based on a fee schedule developed in accordance with a client's ability to pay and a combination of public and private funding resources.

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