If you or a loved one is serving time in federal prison, there may be a path to an earlier release. The First Step Act of 2018 created a system that lets eligible inmates earn credits toward early transfer to community corrections. These credits are earned by taking part in approved programs and activities while being incarcerated.
At Elizabeth Franklin-Best, P.C., our federal criminal defense attorneys have 43 years of combined experience helping clients with complex sentencing and post-conviction matters. Contact us today, or call us at (843) 620-1100 for a consultation to find out whether First Step Act time credits could apply in your situation.
How Elizabeth Franklin-Best, P.C. Can Help With Your First Step Act Case
Earning and applying First Step Act time credits is not always a simple process. The Bureau of Prisons (BOP) is in charge of how credits are calculated, and mistakes happen more often than they should. Having a knowledgeable federal prison consulting services attorney look into your case can help make sure that you or your loved one gets every credit the law allows.
At Elizabeth Franklin-Best, P.C., our nationally respected attorneys have helped clients all over the country with federal sentencing and post-conviction issues. We know how the BOP operates and how to hold them responsible when credits are wrongfully denied.
When you hire our federal criminal defense law firm for your First Step Act case, we can:
- Review your eligibility for earned time credits under the law
- Check BOP credit calculations for accuracy
- Identify qualifying programs and activities that could increase your credits
- File the necessary legal motions on your behalf
- Handle communications with the BOP and federal prosecutors
- Represent you at hearings if your credits are disputed or denied
Contact our law offices today to schedule a consultation. Every day behind bars matters; we are here to help you secure a favorable outcome to the best of our ability.
What Are First Step Act Time Credits?
The First Step Act created what are known as Earned Time Credits. Under this system, eligible federal inmates can earn 10 to 15 days of credit for every 30 days they successfully take part in approved programs and productive activities.
These programs are meant to lower the chances of reoffending after release and can include:
- Educational classes
- Job training
- Cognitive behavioral therapy
- Substance abuse treatment
- Other activities offered at the facility
Once an inmate has earned enough credits, those credits can be applied toward an earlier transfer to something like home confinement or a similar placement. In practical terms, this means an eligible inmate could leave federal prison before their original release date.
Who Is Eligible to Earn Time Credits?
Not every federal inmate qualifies for First Step Act time credits. Eligibility depends on several factors, and certain offenses are excluded from the program altogether.
To be eligible, an inmate generally must:
- Be classified as minimum or low risk under the BOP’s PATTERN risk assessment tool
- Not have been convicted of an excluded offense listed in the statute
- Be actively taking part in recommended programs and activities
Risk level also plays a role in how credits are applied. Inmates classified as minimum risk can typically apply their credits sooner than those classified as low risk.
Common Issues to Keep in Mind With BOP Credit Calculations
One of the biggest problems inmates and their families run into is errors in how the BOP handles time credits. Some inmates do not receive credit for programs they have already completed. Others are placed in the wrong risk category under the PATTERN tool, which can potentially block the use of their credits altogether.
There are also cases where a facility simply does not offer enough programming for inmates to earn credits at the rate they should be able to. These kinds of administrative failures can be challenged, but doing so effectively usually requires legal help from someone who understands the system inside and out.
Schedule a Consultation With a Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer at Elizabeth Franklin-Best, P.C.
The First Step Act has created new opportunities for many federal inmates seeking earlier release. If you need help with a legal matter related to time credits under this statute, Elizabeth Franklin-Best, P.C. can help you understand your rights and follow through with your best course of action from there.
Call today to set up a consultation with our legal team. Our criminal defense attorneys have spent decades helping clients in federal post-conviction cases across the country, and we are ready to put that experience to work for you as soon as you are.
