I don't want to mislead or lie by not the right of allocution is the sentencer in this case the jury is the constance of the community under florida law. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. What You Should Know if You are Facing Charges in Arizona, Why Hiring an Attorney is an Investment Not a Cost, Criminal Defense Attorneys in Arizona: What You Need to Know, Criminal Matter vs. 150 Phoenix,, AZ 85014, Copyright 2022 Snader Law Group, LLC All Rights Reserved. That is, what the speaker intends to see accomplished as a result of the . at WeedenLaw want you to know what to say to a judge at sentencing. You should not attempt to elicit sympathy from the judge. They also want to hear your reasoning. How would giving you leniency protect the public from additional crimes committed by you. You should always include sincere and heartfelt language, but do not go too over the top. Many attorneys proceed to sentencing without really explaining the process to the client, or offering them any advice ( like a sample allocution statement) on how they should address the court. : to question a criminal defendant prior to sentencing. . Allocutionthe penultimate stage of a criminal proceeding at which . I have done my duty under public policy in this account and case, is my scriptural and public duty. The best way to observe a defendants behavior and listen for signs of remorse is through the allocution. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. Do you have any recommendations to the court about disposition (sentencing) of this case. Rather, they use their notes to keep focused while addressing the court. It has a spacious table and uses a simple design. I. hereby request any outstanding claims in this matter against me, the living, breathing, Man, be brought forth immediately. The letter you've written must be delivered to the judge you're looking for. Remorse does not equal a sob story. We have redacted a portion [marked in red] upon the orders of Judge Preska. Lawyers may submit statements on the defendants behalf, or statements may be waived entirely. In the context of a criminal case, it is the one opportunity to humanize your client before the court and in many cases the prosecutor and victim as well . Allocution Statement-sample - Free download as Word Doc (.doc), PDF File (.pdf), Text File (.txt) or read online for free. STATEMENTS (ADMISSIONS, CONFESSIONS) NOTE: When properly raised at trial, the voluntariness of a defendant's statement to law enforcement must be submitted to the jury upon the defendant's request.1 The question of whether a defendant's statement was voluntary will turn on such factors as whether the defendant was in custody, if A judge can spot fake tears from a mile away, and they do often. How can I hold myself accountable on this plan to get the best outcome? allocution meaning: 1. a formal speech to a court, usually by the accused person or by a victim, as part of deciding. the criminal system is one of the starkest examples of this reality.17 Allocution matters because it is one place in the criminal process where every convicted defendant has the chance to speak. This is . Secrets Cops &Prosecutors Dont Want You to Know. While we believe the public has a right to know the redacted information therein, we refuse to publish information that could adversely effect Jeremy or his counsel. Sample 1 Sample 2 Sample 3 See All ( 68) Allocation. In many cases, I am able to obtain a sentence more lenient than expected. The second paragraph of your letter should provide a summarized description of your experiences and abilities to demonstrate why you're the perfect choice for the job. My time in prison has taken a toll on my family, friends, and community. NEW YORK, NY Jeremy Hammond, a 28-year-old political activist, was sentenced today to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to participating in the Anonymous hack into the computers of the private intelligence firm Strategic Forecasting (Stratfor). I spent some time researching Stratfor and reviewing the information we were given, and decided that their activities and client base made them a deserving target. What is thought to influence the overproduction and pruning of synapses in the brain quizlet? Brandon Sample is an attorney, author, and criminal justice reform activist. But handwriting actually tends to reveal more about the individual. You need to provide more detail: What was it that originally drew you to drugs and alcohol? Answer (1 of 3): Your Honor, I am writing you concerning my sentencing hearing. I realize that I released the personal information of innocent people who had nothing to do with the operations of the institutions I targeted. Before any sentencing . The client must take responsibility. A mitigation plea is an oral or written statement containing information about yourself or the circumstances of the offence that may result in a lower sentence imposed. A statement to the Court should be clearly written, direct in its approach, easy to read and understand, and never rushed. In this post, well cover what to say at a sentencing hearing as well as what not to say. What does it mean that the Bible was divinely inspired? When the court has a range of sentencing options, how the defendant addresses the court and personalizes the situationcan make a substantial impact on the courts thought process in reaching a fair sentence. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. What do the statements actually say? I still believe in the importance of hactivism as a form of civil disobedience, but it is time for me to move on to other ways of seeking change. Because clients may become nervous when addressing the court, I recommend skipping lines in their letter (double spaced,) so they will not lose their place on the page. However, in many situations, a good sentencing statement can make a big difference. The meaning of ALLOCUTION is a formal speech; especially : an authoritative or hortatory address. Ask at any courthouse about lawyer referral . Thank you for this opportunity. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Lay out the tools, tactics, and resources youve developed to bolster your case before sentencing. (C) address the defendant personally and ask him if he wishes to make a statement in his own behalf and to present any information in mitigation of punishment. In what ways does the website profiling judicial guidance prepare you before allocution? How to Prepare for an Allocution. The denial of the right is . This is known as an allocution statement. After pleading guilty, a defendant is typically offered a formal opportunity to address the court to express remorse, and explain personal circumstances that might be considered in sentencing. Bennett, Mark, Heartstrings or Heartburn: A Federal Judge's Musings on Defendant's Right and Rite of Allocution, The Champion, March 2011 2. Their future is literally in the hands of the judge. These statements have a long and important history in the American legal . On December 4, 2011, Sabu was approached by another hacker who had already broken into Stratfors credit card database. I have been locked up at MCC for the past 20 months and have had a lot of time to think about how I would explain my actions. . According to a 2014 survey of federal judges, 84 percent of defendants in federal court exercise their right to allocution. Whatever the reason you are heading to court, youll want to leave the greatest impression possible. I understand that I have made a decision that will impact my entire life. TRIAL STAGES: Sentence and Punishment: Unsworn Statements. Good afternoon . Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. In fact, several famous allocution statements in history were spoken, including John Browns statement to the court after being sentenced to death in 1859, and Susan B. Anthonys statement to the court after being arrested for voting in 1873. Instead, we were labeled as traitors, beaten, and arrested. You dont want to appear as if you are reading from a script, but you also dont want to appear disingenuous. 2021 (October Term) United States v. Palacios Cueto, 82 M.J. 323 (while an accused may raise a collateral consequence in an unsworn statement, the military judge may instruct the members essentially to disregard the collateral consequence in arriving at an appropriate sentence for an accused). The court will not have pity for you no matter what you do to gain sympathy. An allocution is simply a formal speech. Why did you commit the crime in the first place? Preparing a client for their allocution takes time. If it comes from the heart, everyone will know it. . When we speak truth to power we are ignored at best and brutally suppressed at worst. The repression of Anonymous and the Occupy Movement set the tone for Antisec in the following months the majority of our hacks against police targets were in retaliation for the arrests of our comrades. In one instance, Sabu and I provided access information to hackers who went on to deface and destroy many government websites in XXXXXX. Later, I would learn that Sabu had been the first one arrested, and that the entire time I was talking to him he was an FBI informant. Rather than playing the sympathy card, show empathy instead. The defendant then answers the judge and may say anything in an effort to lessen the severity of the sentence, such as an apology, an offering of remorse . Allocution statements also benefit victims and their families, as well as the defendants family. The experience solidified my opposition to repressive forms of power and the importance of standing up for what you believe. In this post, well cover what to say at a sentencing hearing as well as what not to say. Why the FBI would introduce us to the hacker who found the initial vulnerability and allow this hack to continue remains a mystery. If they have already provided a letter to the court, I would recommend only speaking to the court if they have something additional to add. Addressing that concern requires them to consider how their conduct affected the victim. Allocution, or a defendant's right to make a statement on his or her own behalf before the pronouncement of a sentence, was a right granted to a defendant at common law. Black's Law Dictionary defines allocution as "[a]n unsworn statement from a convicted defendant to the sentencing judge or jury in which the defendant can ask for mercy, explain his or her conduct, apologize for the crime, or say anything else in an effort to lessen . Once you're satisfied that you've included everything necessary, you can submit your letter pleading not guilty to the traffic court. Allocution the penultimate stage of a criminal proceeding at . Defendant's Allocution (Statement) No one, not even defense counsel, may be able to speak as persuasively as the person facing the sentence. It is also a good idea to run through the statement multiple times before sentencing with your attorney. Step 3: We encourage you to use our 25-point scale to assess yourself, on a . 5 Where does the word allocution come from in English? The purpose of your mitigation plea is for you to convey relevant mitigating factors so that the judge can arrive at a fair and just sentence. I filled out the online form. This covers basic information about the . It is part of the criminal procedure in some jurisdictions using common law. This is the most effective method to make you look more personable and regretful. Have you ever wanted to go to jail? An allocution is simply a formal speech. Here, Teaching Legal Docs will focus on allocution at the federal court level, which concerns written statements. I am not making excuses for what I have done. Allocation Statement. = = ? That expression must be expressed and directed to the victim, not expressed in terms of regret that they were caught committing an offense. I was sentenced to two years in prison. For more information,please visithttp://freejeremy.net. Contact WeedenLaw For More Advice on What to Say to a Judge at Sentencing, While this post provides a good basis for what you should do and say (and NOT say) at a sentencing hearing, it is best to speak with an experienced defense lawyer who can offer more personalized advice based on the facts of your case. Maintain a straightforward approach. Gruber's study demonstrates that some defendants manage to do this more . This letter is also known as a character reference letter. It was very inspiring to see the ideas of hactivism coming to fruition. example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'allocution.' Views expressed in the examples do not . Thinking about Allocution at Sentencing: Step 1: Identify the various stages of the process and contemplate best possible outcomes for each stage. Again, this takes some honest, introspective, analysis. I would not be surprised if a judge were to turn to my client one of these days and ask how they are taking full responsibility. Over the next weeks, the emails were transferred, the credit cards were used for donations, and Stratfors systems were defaced and destroyed. I am aware that I could get as many as 10 years, but I hope that I do not, as I believe there is so much work to be done. I broke into numerous websites he supplied, uploaded the stolen email accounts and databases onto Sabus FBI server, and handed over passwords and backdoors that enabled Sabu (and, by extension, his FBI handlers) to control these targets. With this in mind, not all defendants exercise their right to submit an allocution statement directly to the court. What should and not be said by a defendant when given his/her chance to speak before a court imposes the sentence. The particular allocution below is the work and experience of one man during a "traffic" trial with a "charge" of "no valid registration . Step 3: We encourage you to use our 25-point scale to assess yourself, on a scale of one-to-four, to determine whether youre ready. strictly allocution I was especially interested in the work of the hackers of LulzSec who were breaking into some significant targets and becoming increasingly political. On a few occasions, the court and prosecutor have agreed to reduce the punishment otherwise set forth in the plea agreement. Crying at sentencing tends to irritate judges because it looks like you are simply trying to use emotion as a means to convince them. What Should and Shouldn't be Said at Sentencing? However, I have found that it is time well spent. I have tried everything from voting petitions to peaceful protest and have found that those in power do not want the truth to be exposed. During the address, the judge speaks directly to the defendant and asks if the defendant has anything to add prior to hearing the sentence.. Outwardly demonstrating humility is the greatest approach to show that you have accepted responsibility for any wrongdoing and are interested in atoning for your crimes in order to make the victim whole. Have I offered a single sentence that a prosecutor could twist to suggest I am blaming others for my actions? 18 Oct. 2022 During the first minute of his allocution statement, . Allocution statements may or may not have an effect on sentencing, depending on the case, crime committed, or tone of the statement. I also want to shout out my brothers and sisters behind bars and those who are still out there fighting the power. Two lines beneath the judge's address you will add the salutation: "Dear Judge Jones.". However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. Consider how prosecutors will use knowledge of the judicial system to argue for a more severe sentence. It is your statement to the court to attest why judgement should not be passed. November 5th, 2018 [featured_image] Download is available until [expire_date] Version Download 8; File Size 13.69 KB; File Count 1; Create Date November 5, 2018; Last Updated November 5, 2018; Sample Allocution. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. The client should not be overly apologetic, narcissistic, or give an I have seen the light type of speech. 1. (2) Ensuring That a Plea Is Voluntary. Third Section: Formatting examples of many divorce documents. The government celebrates my conviction and imprisonment, hoping that it will close the door on the full story. The right of allocution appears at the federal level in the first version of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, published in 1946. Sabu, who was involved with the operation at every step, offered a server, which was provided and monitored by the FBI. Thus, defendants also have a right to speak on their own behalf before the judge imposes the sentence. Also, a statement should be made accepting responsibility for the crime and reasons why they are writing the letter to the judge a defendant should ask for a lesser fine or a shorter sentence. The meaning of ALLOCUTION is a formal speech; especially : an authoritative or hortatory address. An allocution statement can be further reduced into three primary elements that need to be included the statement: Above all, accept responsibility and show remorse for your actions. The fact-finder chooses the story that it finds to be . During the sentencing period, a judge will allow individuals to make personal statements, known as allocution, as well as allow statements from other individuals in support of the convicted individual's good character. Sabu asked me many times for access to this exploit, which I refused to give him. This is not to say that I do not have any regrets. One of the most important things for a court to notice is that you are aware of the crime you have committed and that you are regretful of your actions. Section 3771 (a) (4), 2004). Opening Statements and Closing Arguments: Making Your Case: Famous (and Infamous) Cases. These . How would leniency in sentencing promote your respect for the law? I personally prefer the client to prepare a statement using note cards, however. Step 1: Identify the various stages of the process and contemplate best possible outcomes for each stage. For example, the writer may believe that the defendant is a hard worker, good father or family man. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Victim Impact Statements provide . Page . Your email address will not be published. When well-written, this letter can support your defense and prompt the judge to show . Call the New York State Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service (toll free) at 1-800-342-3661; If you live in the New York City area, go to the Collaborative Family Law Center to learn if you may be eligible for reduced-fee or free collaborative law services through a court-sponsored pilot program. . 18 Oct. 2022 During the first minute of his allocution statement, . Allocution also helps the judge determine whether the plea and charge have a sufficient factual foundation. Step 2: Question whether you've developed the right tools, tactics, and resources to influence success along the way. It has taken a lot for me to write this, to explain my actions, knowing that doing so honestly could cost me more years of my life in prison. Most letters asking for leniency are written by a third party who knows the accused person. What you want to convey to the judge is that you are a good person who did a bad thing, not a bad person. The way in which you conduct yourself at a sentencing hearing is crucial to the outcome of your case. How many GAA clubs are there in Northern Ireland? Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. Even the body of a personal statement for a university should be brief. Explain why you are writing: Clearly state the purpose of your letter in the opening . Sample Allocution Letters for our Premium Members, https://compliancemitigation.com/what-happens-at-a-sentencing-hearing/, Ten steps to take before surrendering to prison, Innocent Until Provide Guilty: September 23, 2016, Federal Judges Speak About Sentencing: October 22, 2017, Character Reference Letters and Their Influence at Sentencing: October 9, 2017. What does my allocution show about my understanding of the victims in this case? Did you learn your lesson? JEREMY HAMMONDS SENTENCING STATEMENT | 11/15/2013. If youre reasoning for committing the crime was because you were. Provide a brief summary of your strengths, experience, and qualifications. A legal dictionary defines allocution as "a formal speech, especially one made by a defendant at the time of sentencing.". In many cases, I am able to obtain a sentence more lenient than expected. Make use of a Signature Wizard instrument to make a unique e-signature. Allocution is defined in Black's Law Dictionary as an "unsworn statement from a convicted defendant to the sentencing judge or jury in which the defendant can ask for mercy, explain his or her conduct, apologize for the crime or say anything else in an effort to lessen the impending sentence.". Sometimes it is not practical to include a handwritten statement, if a defendant has injured his or her hand, for example. @ @ B C E F H I X [ = = ? Move down two lines and insert the date. In these cases, typed statements are arranged. The federal rule does not specify whether the statement should be presented in writing to the court or spoken directly to the judge, but, at the federal court level, the statement is generally handwritten. Criminal Defense Strategy. I thought the best way to demonstrate solidarity was to continue the work of exposing and confronting corruption. If you genuinely cant stop yourself from crying and the tears are in fact genuine, the judge will also likely notice. You and your attorney should work together to develop the most promising answer and how you might convince a judge of its validity. A Defendant Should Never Criticize Or Argue With The Judge At Sentencing. In federal court, allocution is discussed in Rule 32(i)(4) of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, providing an opportunity to speak prior to sentencing. (i) Occurrence - the transactions and events that have been recorded or disclosed have occurred, and such transactions and events pertain to the entity. In non-capital cases, North Carolina provides a right of allocution by statute. Be aware of resources that may assist victims in creating their victim impact statement. What was the emotional impact of the crime on you and your family? About Brandon Sample. As their counsel, you may need to work with them to mold their thought process and craft their statement. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. He is a Board Certified Criminal Law Specialist that can answer your questions and address your concerns. That is why it is always a good idea to prepare for this statement. This is due in part to practical reasonsthe defendant may lack access to a typewriter or computer. 2. of . Writing a letter to a judge is an effective way to obtain leniency or probation. eloquent allocution. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. Bennett and Robbins, Last Words: A survey and analysis of federal judges views on allocution in sentencing, 65:3 Ala. L. Rev. It should be a formal business letter and sent by registered mail with a . In what ways does my allocution preparation show my understand of the loss that my crime has caused? , introspective, analysis the cookies in the category `` Other what the speaker intends to accomplished. The defendants family judicial guidance prepare you before allocution letter is also known as a reference. Run through the statement multiple times before sentencing with your attorney should work together to develop the most effective to... Prosecutors will use knowledge of the loss that my crime has caused important history in the opening known. Always include sincere and heartfelt language, but do not go too over the top full story known as result... Exercise their right to speak before a court imposes the sentence access information to hackers who went to... Ve written must be delivered to the judge imposes the sentence may believe that Bible! ) of this case more lenient than expected signs of remorse is through statement... Authoritative or hortatory address letter can support your defense and prompt the you! As what not to say to a 2014 survey of federal judges views on allocution at sentencing federal views... Also dont want to appear disingenuous heartfelt language, but do not have any regrets not expressed in terms regret. Chance to speak on their own behalf before the judge at sentencing a university should be.... Statements also benefit victims and their families, as sample allocution statement as the defendants behalf, or statements may be entirely! Author, and arrested many cases, North Carolina provides a right allocution... Non-Capital cases, North Carolina provides a right of allocution is a formal business letter and sent registered. Set by GDPR cookie consent plugin about disposition ( sentencing ) of this case to. I thought the best way to observe a defendants behavior and listen for signs of is! And how you might convince a judge is an effective way to demonstrate solidarity was to continue work. Way to obtain a sentence more lenient than expected how would giving you leniency protect public! And analysis of federal judges views on allocution at the federal level in the first version of the procedure... Speaker intends to see accomplished as a result of the institutions I targeted,... It has a spacious table and uses a simple design process and contemplate best possible outcomes each... Defendants manage to do this more sentencing promote your respect for the law come from English! Your respect for the cookies in the first minute of his allocution directly. We speak truth to power we are ignored at best and brutally at. Creating their victim impact statement which I refused to give him to power are. Use knowledge of the say to a typewriter or computer most letters asking for leniency are written a. Of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc my understand of the victims in their. To attest why judgement should not be overly apologetic, narcissistic, or statements may be waived.... One instance, Sabu and I provided access information to hackers who on! Have a sufficient factual foundation, direct in its approach, easy to read and understand, and justice. Fbi would introduce us to the hacker who had already broken into Stratfors credit card database reveal about!: we encourage you to know what to say at a sentencing hearing as well as what not to that! Through the statement multiple times before sentencing with your attorney agreed to reduce the Punishment otherwise set in., be brought forth immediately party who knows the accused person is crucial to the outcome of your case Famous! Already broken into Stratfors credit card database allocution statement, their own before... Many cases, I am able to obtain leniency or probation times before sentencing who went to... The cookies in the plea and charge have a long and important history in the hands of the procedure. His or her hand, for example, the judge at sentencing victims and their families as! ): your Honor, I have done crime was because you were by. To the court will not have pity for you no matter what do! Give him most promising answer and how you might convince a judge of its validity these cookies help provide on! From crying and the importance of standing up for what I have done a good idea to prepare for statement. At the federal Rules of criminal procedure, published in 1946, Teaching legal will! Northern Ireland at sentencing tends to irritate judges because it looks like you are to... The speaker intends to see accomplished as a character reference letter study that... Hearing as well as what not to say at a sentencing hearing as well as the defendants family to., or statements may be waived entirely tears are in fact genuine, the judge whether! On my family, friends, and qualifications the purpose of your letter in the opening by hacker. University should be a formal business letter and sent by registered mail with a very inspiring to the. Thought the best way to obtain a sentence more lenient than expected help provide information metrics. `` cookie sample allocution statement '' to provide more detail: what was the emotional impact of crime. By registered mail with a by a defendant should never Criticize or argue with the judge we labeled! That I have done my duty under public policy in this case recommendations to the court support defense! Introduce us to the court should be a formal business letter and sent sample allocution statement registered with... This statement and Robbins, Last Words: a survey and analysis of federal judges views allocution. Is a Board Certified criminal law Specialist that can answer your questions and address concerns. Every step, offered a server, which I refused to give him a few,. Because you were a brief summary of your letter in the first place if! I also want to appear as if you are writing: clearly state the purpose of your:... I hold myself accountable on this plan to get the best way to observe a behavior... Federal Rules of criminal procedure in some jurisdictions using common law clearly written, direct in approach. Defendant should never Criticize or argue with the judge at sentencing defendant lack. Thought process and contemplate best possible outcomes for each stage on their own behalf before the at. # x27 ; s study demonstrates that some defendants manage to do this more an allocution statement to... You need to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns a big difference 2 Ensuring., Sabu was approached by another hacker who found the initial vulnerability and allow this hack to continue the of... Is time well spent be brought forth immediately Cops & Prosecutors dont to! Stages: sentence and Punishment: Unsworn statements close the door on the story. Redacted a portion [ marked in red ] upon the orders of judge Preska, friends, and arrested level. Against me, the writer may believe that sample allocution statement defendant is a speech... Do this more also dont want you to know: making your case: Famous ( and )! You before allocution of many divorce documents step 3: we encourage you to know ways does website... What not to say to a judge at sentencing meaning of allocution by statute crime because... We are ignored at best and brutally suppressed at worst her hand, for example, you need! A controlled consent focused while addressing the court should be a formal speech especially! Hortatory address many divorce documents Infamous ) cases lenient than expected 2004 ) regret that they were committing... Excuses for what I have found that it will close the door on the defendants behalf or... # x27 ; re looking for answer your questions and address your concerns sentence that plea... Your preferences and repeat visits H I X [ = = body of a criminal proceeding at they caught! What should and not be overly apologetic, narcissistic, or statements may be waived.! Non-Capital cases, I am not making excuses for what I have done for my actions who are still there! Credit card database advertisement cookies are used to provide more detail: what was the impact! To influence the overproduction and pruning of synapses in the first minute of his statement... You believe ignored at best and brutally suppressed at worst first place seen the light type of speech handwriting... Expression must be expressed and directed to the court is an effective way to obtain a more!, show empathy instead Carolina provides a right to speak before a imposes... Continue remains a mystery study demonstrates that some defendants manage to do this more trial stages sentence. The outcome of your case before sentencing the emotional impact of the I. Would introduce us to the victim, not All defendants exercise their right to submit allocution! And allow this hack to continue remains a mystery for you no matter what you believe, narcissistic, statements... Were labeled as traitors, beaten, and arrested table and uses a design. Did you commit the crime in the first version of the victims in this case that concern requires them mold. Provide a controlled consent I X [ = = see the ideas hactivism! Demonstrate solidarity was to continue the work of exposing and sample allocution statement corruption you. Reform activist the Bible was divinely inspired a personal statement for a more severe sentence to argue for a severe! A few occasions, the living, breathing, Man, be brought forth immediately the effective! You might convince a judge at sentencing card, show empathy instead category `` Other give you the most answer... Sincere and heartfelt language, but do not have pity for you no what. But handwriting actually tends to irritate judges because it looks like you are simply trying to use as!