I heard someone mention “good time,” what does that mean?
Good time is essentially time removed off the back in of prison and jail sentences as a reward for good behavior while someone is in custody. Ultimately, the decision as to whether to reward “good time” to an inmate is left to the Sheriff of the County, since they control the local jail, or the Department of Corrections. “Good time” and “gain time” often combine to significantly reduce the time someone actually spends in custody. We also discuss “gain time” elsewhere on our blog. Ultimately, it is important for individuals accused of committing a crime to consider “good time” and “gain time” when making decisions concerning plea offers.
The defense lawyers of Hackworth Law always advise family and friends of those incarcerated to contact either the jail directly or the Department of Corrections for the most accurate and reliable release date. We strongly recommend folks access the Department of Corrections website, for a thorough explanation of when incarcerated individuals will actually be released from custody.
If you or someone you know has questions concerning “good time” do not hesitate to contact the Tampa attorneys of Hackworth Law for a free case consultation.