FIRST TIME OFFENDER SEEKING A SECOND CHANCE AFTER DOING 22YEARS:

Hello my name is Maurice D Sirls, I am a 40 year old man who is seeking any support from people in society for clemency from the State of Virginia by the Honorable Governor Ralph Northam.

I was sentenced to 81 years at the tender age of 18 for robbery, carjacking and use of a firearm.I was a first time offender (no juvenile record). I do understand the seriousness of my crimes and I'm not claiming that I'm innocent. I am asking that my 81yr sentence be commuted to 28 yrs or that I be released back into society.

On February 2nd 1998 I committed a string of robberies in different jurisdictions that caused me my life. None of the victims in these crimes was physically hurt or touched. I am in no way trying to minimize the seriousness of these crimes I committed. I just don't believe that I should spend my whole life in prison, especially when I wasn't in my normal state of mind during these crimes due to me being under the influence of mind-altering drugs and alcohol.

Before February 2nd 1998 I showed no signs of being a violent person. I grew up in a Military household where responsibility and respect was mandatory. I knew right from wrong, but I started to go astray from my upbringings when my parents separated and we ended up in drug- infested neighborhood. Once I found out that my mother was a drug addict I began hanging with people who had a bad influence on me and I began to abuse drugs myself.

Since my incarceration (22 years) I have no violent infractions in my institutional file. Instead I've completed several programs such as Substance Abuse, Alcohol Anonymous, Thinking for a change,Anger Management and Breaking Barriers. I also received my GED and even tried studying Social Work under Stratford Institute until my funding ended.

This was my first time ever getting in this kind of trouble. I was experiencing hard time and lost my way in life and made some dumb decisions that I know I've done enough time for. I am a prime example of a young man who was labeled a menace then used as a DETERRENT and was OVER-SENTENCED. Several Mitigating factors was not convyed to the judges presiding over my cases,such as my homelessness at the time that caused my despair,my impaired state of mind during my offenses and my immaturity.

I wish only a second chance at life to right my wrongs by helping young black men like myself find positive outlets and choose a righteous path instead of a path to their own demise. I am asking people to sign this petition if you agree that I deserve a second chance, because justice was not served,it was abused.

If you would like to get in contact with me,my information is: Maurice D Sirls#1118995 Sussex 1 State Prison 24414 Musselwhite Drive Waverly, Virginia 23891. I also need written letters of support due to the letter I received from the Secretary of the Commonwealth.Send to the above address