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 defendants. Today, Sentencing Services is one of
many Sentencing Services Programs that operates across the State
of North Carolina.
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WHO IS ELIGIBLE?
To
be eligible a defendant must:
1.
Be charged with felonies or misdemeanors such as:
- Breaking
or Entering
- Embezzlement
- Possession
of Stolen Goods
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- Possession/Sale
of Drugs
- Common
Law Robbery
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2. Have the
possibility of being sentenced by the Court to an intermediate punishment
or
to an active prison term.
WHAT IS
A PLAN?
___A
Sentencing Services plan is a written document that details a defendant's
current charges, social history, and results of assessments. It also gives
the Court options of community resources that can address the client's
and the community's need for punishment, rehabilitation, restitution,
and deterrence. A plan may include elements such as:
- Probation
- Psychological
Counseling
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- Victim
Restitution
- Employment
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- Substance
Abuse Treatment
- Residence
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WHAT HAPPENS
AT SENTENCING SERVICES?
___Sentencing Services
receives referrals from defense attorneys, judges, district attorneys,
defendants, and community residents. A Sentencing Specialist is assigned
to:
- Interview
the defendant and verify information
- Assess risk
to re-offend on community supervision and assess degree of alcohol/drug
use
- If needed,
arrange other evaluations
- Link defendant
to resources that can address causes of criminal behavior
- Write a
plan for use by 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 is based on a fee schedule developed in accordance with a defendant's
ability to pay and a combination of public and private funding resources.
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