HOW TO WRITE A LETTER TO THE GOVERNOR OF CALIFORNIA
We have been asked many times for advice on how to write a letter on Brandon’s behalf. We want to help because we know this can seem like a daunting task if you don’t know where to begin so we’ve asked for input from supporters who have already written letters, from friends, and from Brandon’s attorney. This posting is a blend of all of their responses.
The reason we didn’t just post a form letter is because government officials are looking for meaningful input from someone who has a demonstrated knowledge of the person and his or her case. Someone who copies or signs a form letter is perceived as someone who does not have that kind of knowledge. A short letter that someone has taken the time to compose herself or himself would have more of an impact than a form letter. However, having said that, we want to emphasize that a form letter is better than no letter at all.THE CORRECT FORM
One supporter sent us this very helpful website which gives advice on how to write to government officials.http://www.smartvoter.org/gtg/ca/state/overview/contacting.html#3
Here’s an excerpt of advice from this site:
DO express personal opinion.
DO check the spelling for the official's name and office title.
DO time your letter to arrive when the issue is current. <for Brandon that means now>
DO present a concise statement of the reasons for your position.
DO make letters short.WHAT TO INCLUDE IN THE LETTER
Important points to include in a letter urging the Governor to grant Brandon's clemency/commutation application:
- Brandon was 18 at the of the crime.
- He was sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole even though it is undisputed that he did not cause the death of anyone.
- Whatever sense the felony murder rule may make in other circumstances, it makes no sense to apply it to someone in Brandon's circumstance; he was with a group of teenagers who got into a fight and one of them, by all accounts unbeknown to Brandon, happened to have and use a small blade folding knife.
- He has already been incarcerated for more than 12 years.
The letters should not state or suggest that Brandon has exhausted all possible legal appeals and that only the Governor has the power to grant any type of relief because that is not true and it will make it seem as if the person is not as familiar with the case as they might be. (We will be continuing the appeals process in the 9th Circuit Court, however, that will take more time and Brandon has lost too many years already.)
Note: If you are uncertain regarding the details you’ve included, you are welcome to send us your letter for review to this email: freebh@brandonhein.com
EXAMPLE LETTER
Date
The Honorable Arnold Schwarzenegger
Governor of California
State Capitol Building
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: 916-445-2841
Fax: 916-445-4633Dear Governor:
As a California citizen I ask you to accept this written appeal for executive clemency and commutation of sentence for Brandon Hein, currently serving a sentence of life imprisonment without possibility of parole for his 1996 conviction under California’s Felony Murder Rule. Brandon was 18 years old at the time he was convicted. He was with a group of teenagers who got into a fight and one of them, by all accounts unbeknown to Brandon, happened to have and use a small blade folding knife. Even though Brandon did not kill anyone, he has already been incarcerated for more than 12 years.
Whatever the reasons and mechanics by which our legislature has managed to enact a law holding some responsible for crimes far greater than those actually committed, the citizens of this state never intended that this rule be used to put a teenager away forever for a fistfight. Although that premise stands on its own, I invite you to review the details of this case, trial, conviction and sentence and learn why so many people are so outraged by the magnitude of this injustice.
I believe, as do most Californians, that crime must be deterred and prosecuted, that convictions must be fair and that punishments must be equitable. Life in prison without the possibility of parole for a teenager convicted of a crime he did not commit using a legal fiction is neither fair nor equitable. Brandon’s appeals thus far have been denied, presumably because the appeals court must follow the law without regard to its grossly unjust unintended consequences. I ask that you please correct this injustice by granting Brandon Hein’s clemency/commutation application.
Respectfully,
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