My best friends husband was sentenced to an 18 month sentence, 9 months in our local County Jail, 9 months suspended. We are in New Mexico. She and I have searched most of the day for info on whether or not he has to do the full 9 months in County, OR if he qualifies for the "good time" credits.
He is a non-violent offender, and is participating in the work release program, and has had no problems so far.
Can anyone help me with finding out if the sentence is the full 9 months, or if "good time" applies? Thanks in advance!
nana4dakids2007-03-22T13:06:57Z
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I am sure that he had an attorney for his sentencing. If so, call the attorney and ask. If not, then I would call the clerk of the circuit court. It may also depend on the way the judge ordered the sentencing. If he said he has to serve the full 9 months in order to be eligible for the 9 months suspended, then he will have to serve the full 9 months. It is best to get a lawyer to explain it all to you.
This is something you should ask your attorney or probation officer; she should know right away. And your best friend's husband should have had an attorney since he was sentenced to actual imprisonment.
Most of the time sentences to county jails do not qualify for "good time" credit, as jail sentences are almost always for less than one year and don't require the commitment of the person to the custody of the bureau of prisons (or department of corrections, or whatever it's called in your state). As such, many of those privileges -- like continuing education, work while in prison, perhaps long term drug treatment, etc., are not available in jails.
This may be a different scenario considering the length of time for the sentence. Ask your lawyer!