How do you Get a Sentence Reduced After Being Sentenced?

Signing for your time does not mean the number is locked in forever. There are legitimate paths to reduction even after a plea has been entered and a sentence imposed, though the options vary depending on whether your loved one is in the federal or state system.

In the federal system, the most accessible program is RDAP, the Residential Drug Abuse Program. If an inmate has a documented history of substance abuse and qualifies for the program, successful completion can take up to 12 months off their sentence. It is one of the most significant sentence reduction opportunities available in the Bureau of Prisons and getting enrolled early is worth pursuing through the case manager as soon as possible after arrival.

Beyond RDAP, cooperation with the government is the other major avenue in both federal and state systems. If an inmate has substantial knowledge about another crime and is willing to provide that information to prosecutors, a motion can be filed that results in a meaningful sentence reduction. In serious cases this path can cut 50 percent or more off the remaining time.

The cooperation route comes with a significant warning that cannot be overstated. Other inmates cannot know about it. The consequences of being identified as an informant inside a correctional facility are severe and potentially dangerous. This is a decision that requires careful consideration, a trusted attorney to navigate the process, and absolute discretion from everyone involved on the outside as well.

Good time credits and First Step Act earned time credits are additional federal options worth understanding and pursuing through programming participation throughout the sentence.