Hello, my name is Miguel Rivera. I am 27 years young and I have been incarcerated for 5 years now. I was sentenced to 35 to life, plus 14 years and 4 months. I plead “no contest” to avoid trial and possibly receiving an LWOP sentence, plus 31 years. I was literally between a rock and a hard place when I made the biggest decision of my life and plead “no contest.”
I originally came to jail for going to a gun range with my brother for his 21st birthday. I was 22 at the time of my arrest for possession of a firearm. 15 months later I was indicted for capital murder in “operation: sunny day”, the largest grand jury indictment in San Mateo County.
I grew up in the East Palo Alto, Menlo Park area for most of my life. Unlike most kids in that area, I have traveled and experienced many different places, cultures and walks of life. I am a son, grandson, brother, friend and much more. I am a High School graduate and was an active member in my community at the time of my arrest. I was never known as a bad kid, bully or gangster and I’m still not. I do not let my situation define me. I am a work in progress!
My goal now is to show the world who I am and who I can be. I’m utilizing all my resources and participating in every class I can to transform myself into a better person who will make better choices. I am fighting for my second chance at life. From the outside looking in it’s easy to see me as just another criminal, but I’m striving to show the world that I am so much more!…
Good judgment comes from experience and experience comes from bad judgment. I know I’ll see things better the second time around. Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
Miguel Rivera AK-3202
CSP Solano B8-222
P.O. Box 4000,
Vacaville, CA 95696
Lifers With Optimistic Progress (LWOP) 
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