The case record may show
An allegation. A date. A procedural history.
Those facts matter. But alone, they cannot explain how a life unfolded, what shaped a person’s decisions, or what can support meaningful change.
Forensic mitigation · Maine
The whole story matters.The path forward matters too.
Creating Belief is a Maine forensic mitigation and reentry planning practice. We help criminal defense attorneys uncover the complete human story behind a case and build a realistic plan for accountability, rehabilitation, and reentry.
For criminal defense attorneys, individuals, families, and community partners throughout Maine.
Life history
Context · strengths · path forwardA person is more than a charge.
Editorial concept · no client depicted
Maine PDS Expert Resource
PDS & private cases accepted
Serving defense attorneys statewide
Limited active caseload
Maine forensic mitigation, clearly explained
What Creating Belief does.
Creating Belief LLC supports criminal defense attorneys with attorney-directed social-history investigation, mitigation reports, and individualized reentry planning across Maine.
- Who we serve
- Criminal defense attorneys and their clients throughout Maine.
- What we investigate
- Life history, records, collateral information, strengths, context, and barriers.
- What we deliver
- Clear narrative mitigation reports and realistic reentry recommendations.
- How cases are funded
- Maine PDS-funded and privately retained matters are accepted.
What mitigation adds
The charge is one fact. It is not the whole person.
Mitigation investigates
History, context, strengths, accountability—and what comes next.
- Life-history and trauma-informed interviews
- Medical, educational, treatment, and justice records
- Collateral interviews and social-history development
- Protective factors, turning points, and mitigation themes
- Individualized reentry planning
Core services
Investigation with a purpose.
Each service is grounded in careful listening, available records, attorney direction, and practical planning.
Forensic mitigation reports
Attorney-ready narratives that document life history, trauma, protective factors, strengths, and context.
Life-history investigation
Trauma-informed client interviews, collateral interviews, record review, and social-history development.
Sentencing & violation mitigation
Careful context for sentencing and probation matters, paired with credible accountability measures.
Reentry planning
Individualized plans addressing housing, employment, recovery, family, transportation, and community stability.
An attorney-directed process
From referral to report.
Every case is different. The process remains thorough, respectful, and clear from beginning to end.
Typical timeline: approximately 45–60 days
- 01
Consultation
- 02
Client interview
- 03
Records & collateral contacts
- 04
Narrative development
- 05
Reentry planning
- 06
Final report
The people behind the work
Two perspectives. One shared purpose.
Creating Belief brings together careful forensic mitigation, lived experience, community resources, and practical reentry planning.
01 / Owner
David Patterson
Community outreach & reentry
David leads community outreach, resource development, and reentry planning. Drawing from lived experience with incarceration, recovery, and rebuilding, he helps develop realistic pathways toward long-term stability.
02 / ASHS
Laura Catevenis, ASHS
Mitigation & Reentry Specialist
Laura conducts life-history interviews, reviews records, and identifies the themes, strengths, and mitigating factors that help counsel present a more complete human story.
Human-centered. Accountability-focused.
“Mitigation is a careful reconstruction of a human life.”
The context. The trauma. The turning points. The strengths. The realistic path forward. This work cannot be rushed or templated.
Why Creating Belief works differentlyFictional sample
Mitigation & Reentry Report
Structure preview · no real client information
See the work
Depth without exposure.
Review a clearly labeled fictional sample that demonstrates the structure, depth, and presentation of Creating Belief’s forensic mitigation work. It contains no real client information.
01When should an attorney refer a case?
As early as possible. Records can take time to obtain, and early involvement allows for a more thorough investigation before important court proceedings.
02How long does a case typically take?
Most cases take approximately 45–60 days, depending on complexity, scope, and how quickly records become available.
03Do you accept PDS funding?
Yes. Creating Belief is a Maine PDS Expert Resource and accepts both PDS-funded and privately retained criminal defense cases throughout Maine.
04Can individuals and families reach out directly?
Yes. For an active criminal case, services are generally coordinated through or with authorization from defense counsel.
Start a conversation
A clearer case begins with a fuller picture.
Discuss the case, timeline, scope, and current availability with Creating Belief.
Refer a case