Every client facing criminal prosecution deserves to have the best defense put forward on their behalf. In cases where in the preliminary review of the evidence suggests that the accused individual may ultimately be convicted, the assigned attorney should immediately begin collecting any and all mitigation evidence that is available. Sirlin Mitigation Services strives to offer the most effective and compelling advocacy possible in both the pretrial and sentencing phases of your client’s case. The most persuasive manner in obtaining a lenient sentence based upon an individual client’s unique background and circumstances is through the presentation of a thorough, thoughtful, and competent mitigation evaluation/memorandum to the prosecutor/probation officer/judge/jury. My goal is to provide assigned counsel with professional analysis regarding the case and all of the potential mitigating information that can be used to secure the best outcome possible for the individual’s case.

A mitigation evaluation/memorandum is the complete history of the client’s life experience and can serve to help a prosecutor/probation officer/judge/jury to see the client as a human being and not as a “criminal.” It is presented as part of defense counsel’s argument and highlights life events that have shaped the accused individual and offers explanation and aims to account for how they came to where they are today. The mitigation evaluation/memorandum is not meant to justify the offense, but rather to provide a comprehensive explanation of how the accused individual’s life experiences, limited choices, and past personal experiences have contributed to their current predicament and legal situation.

My objective is to work collectively with defense counsel and to aid in maximizing counsel’s time by conducting a thorough investigation into the biological, psychological, and social history of the accused in an effort to identify prospective mitigating factors that should be presented. The mitigation evaluation/memorandum focuses on the individual client and seeks to balance the criminal act(s) with the positive efforts, circumstances, and remorse demonstrated by the client. My services are designed to provide a high level of service for your client and to enhance and add value to the attorney/client relationship.

I can also aid in answering pre-incarceration questions and concerns for clients and their families in an effort to prepare them for an imminent term of confinement.