What makes a good Personal Narrative

A personal narrative is a letter to the judge that may help influence the outcome of your sentencing hearing. Your personal narrative provides an opportunity to connect with the judge and make a difference in the outcome of your sentencing hearing.

Here are 7 points to consider for creating a good personal narrative

1. Be remorseful.

2. Identify with the victims of your case.

3. Illustrate what you have learned from the experience of becoming a criminal

defendant.

4. Describe the physical, actual steps you have taken to make things right.

5. Write an action plan describing what you will do during and after incarceration to

ensure you will emerge successfully.

6. Tell your background story. This will help your readers understand and

empathize with you as an individual, rather than as a convicted felon.

7. Provide credible evidence to differentiate you from others that come into the

system. This will help influence your judge to grant mercy at sentencing.

5 Things Sentencing Judges Want to Learn from the Defendant

1. The full story.

2. The catalyst for the criminal behavior.

3. That the defendant is thinking about the victims and is remorseful.

4. That the defendant is seeking redemption by taking the action steps to make

things right.

5. Evidence that the defendant has a plan and is currently acting to redeem their

selves and become a functioning member of society.

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