Mathis, TX Criminal Defense Law Firms & Lawyers

You will be eligible for non disclosure but you must wait two years after the probation ends. A petition for non disclosure must be filed then and be considered by the court. It is difficult to do by yourself so it is best if you get legal help. Since you will have to wait two years there il be time to save for the fees and filing cost.

Unfortunately, the answer is no. In 2004, Representative Bobby Scott (D-Va) introduced the "The Literacy, Education & Rehabilitation Act," (LERA, for short.) It would have increased the amount of good time for federal prisoners serving sentences of more than one year by up to 60 days a year, if they completed, participated in or taught in a rehabilitation program. The bill had 12 cosponsors, but it died in committee. The bill has not been reintroduced in the current Congress, thus, there is virtually no chance of it passing this year. Parole was abolished in 1987 when the Federal Sentencing Guidelines became effective. For all offenses committed after November 1, 1987, federal prisoners must serve 85% of their sentences. This equates to 54 days of good time a year, after the first year. Hopefully, the bill will be reintroduced. But even with support from members of Congress, it will probably take years for it to be passed. There likely will be many who oppose the bill because they view it as shortening the sentences of violent, drug and sex offenders, whose sentences they would rather see increased.

It depends. If your daughter knew what the "thief" was doing in the store, then she can be charged as a party to the offense, which means she would be every bit as culpable as the actual thief. Her best defense is that she had no clue what the person was doing in the store. Also, since the case is a Class C ticket, she may have other options available to ensure it doesn't become a permanent conviction on her record.