My name is Javonte Perry. I am currently serving an 18-year sentence for a crime that I committed when I was 22  

I believe that I’m serving an unjust sentence due to ineffective counsel of the public defender I was appointed. I was advised by the public defender to plead guilty to the charges. My public defender advised me that the max amount of time I could be sentenced was 8 years. I ended up being sentenced to 13 years. After taking the plea, the evidence in the previous trial was connected to another case and because I plead guilty I was then charged in that city. Where I was again advised to plead guilty. My public defender never originally advised that by taking the plea I would automatically be connected to a case in another city. I was sentenced to 5 more years in this city because of it. Because of the incompetence of my attorney I have been severely over sentenced for a first offender robbery charge. During my incarceration, I learned that  the public defender that I was appointed was reprimanded for defaulting on the cases of multiple other individuals. Her misconduct violated the rules set by the Virginia State Bar for failing to provide competence, diligence, and communication which impacted the outcome of the cases of multiple other individuals. 

Before my incarceration, I was an honors graduate of Deep Creek Highschool in 2010. I was accepted into a trade program where I excelled with the highest recognition and gained certification. With many references from my instructors, I was able to gain employment immediately as an HVAC technician in residential homes. Additionally, I gained a residential facilities maintenance certification from Home Builders Institute and a Weatherization Installer certificate from Thomas Nelson Community College. Always looking for opportunities to become better, I also participated in a “Strategies for Successful Employment program” provided by the Urban League of Hampton Roads Inc. in hopes of furthering my career goals. For part-time work, I was the co-owner of a paper route and volunteered my time to a family friend starting “Aunt Alice’s House”, a Nonprofit Reentry Program.

While in prison, each year I have been able to  maintain good behavior while participating in trades like horticulture and commercial cleaning. I’ve held jobs as a unit custodian, chemical control, unit supply closet manager, and groundskeeper. I’ve participated in the drug programs and Christian programs available to me. I have used my knowledge to help many inmates study and acquire their GED.

Now at almost 30, I’ve spent my time building myself into an individual that would be a contributor of good to our society. Please sign in support of a pardon by the Governor Youngkin due to the unjust amount of time I was sentenced due to ineffective counsel.