The Clerk of the Court in the county where the charges were filed is the right place to start. The clerk maintains the official court docket, which lists every case along with the judge assigned to hear it. Call the clerk's office, provide your friend's full legal name and approximate arrest date if you have it, and ask for the case docket information including the assigned judge. Once you have the judge's name, you can contact that judge's secretary
Read moreThis situation has several serious legal issues layered on top of each other, and you have more options than it may feel like right now. Here is where to focus. The recanting accuser is significant. If the person who accused your husband has admitted to lying, that is potentially powerful grounds for post-conviction relief. This needs to be in front of an attorney or an innocence organization as soon as possible. The Innocence Project and state-level innocence organizations take
Read moreThe member has the responsibility to get the new local number to the inmate. If you would like a coupon for the letter service, please let us know and we will pay for it so that you can notify your inmate of the change.
Read moreWe estimate that it takes about 2-3 business days to arrive in the facility mail room. Once there, the staff opens each piece for contraband. Be mindful that each facility has their own set of rules as to how long they have to actually deliver the mail to inmates at "mail call"
Read moreA two-year sentence is 730 days. The 138 days already served in county jail comes off that total from day one, leaving 592 days remaining at the point of sentencing. How much of that gets served depends on whether this is a state or federal case and what the applicable good time rules are. If it is a state sentence with a half time provision, meaning the inmate serves 50% before becoming eligible for release or parole consideration,
Read moreThe general rule is a hug and a kiss when you arrive and leave and "no contact" during the visit. The guards pretty much determine how liberal the contact might be (i.e. hand holding ok, "touching" not usually). You just have to be VERY careful and aware during the visit as the guards have the final say. They can end the visit or even suspend future visits. The guards want to be respected, too.
Read moreYes, a denied visitation application can be disputed, and there is a clear path to doing that. The first step is finding out exactly why the application was denied. Facilities are not always forthcoming with this information automatically, but you are entitled to ask. Call the facility and ask to speak with a supervisor, typically the captain or the visitation supervisor, and ask specifically what the reason for the denial was and what information in your application triggered it.
Read moreIf you are able to pick your family member up directly from the facility on their release date, that is the best option. You get the maximum time together from the moment they walk out, and it removes the impersonal experience of a transport bus. Call the facility in advance to confirm the exact release time and any procedures for pickup. If a direct pickup is not possible, you are typically permitted to pick them up from the bus
Read moreCambria County Prison in Pennsylvania does not publish detailed visitation rules or phone setup information online beyond basic contact details. That is frustrating but common for smaller county facilities that do not maintain robust public-facing websites. The most reliable way to get current visitation hours, rules, and procedures is to call the facility directly at 814-472-7330. Ask specifically for the visitation department or an officer who can walk you through the current schedule, what identification you need to bring,
Read moreEven if an inmate has no money in their account, most jails still make sure they can write home. Facilities typically provide: Basic paper and pencils for writing Access to what is called indigent mail What is indigent mail: If an inmate has little or no funds for a certain period of time, the jail will usually: Provide a limited number of stamps and envelopes Allow them to send basic letters, often to immediate family
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