For qualifying convicted felons, you may have the opportunity to receive parole after serving a portion of your sentence. This is not a guarantee, however, and a case must be argued for your eligibility and whether or not parole should be granted. To ensure your chance at parole is handled effectively, contact a competent Beaumont parole lawyer for skilled legal representation on which you can rely.
At Renick Law Firm, PLLC, our team of experienced attorneys can handle all of your legal needs related to parole or probation. We can connect you with a knowledgeable attorney who is committed to protecting your rights and providing strong representation. Whether it is for a parole hearing, fighting against accusations of a probation violation, or other criminal charges, our team takes the circumstances of your case and builds a strategy that is right for you.
Parole and probation are both alternative ways of serving a sentence you received after being convicted of an unlawful offense. Both alternatives grant the offender the ability to serve their time outside of jail or prison. Additionally, parole and probation can both include several restrictions, regulations, and other stipulations that the person must adhere to.
The main difference between the two is that probation is granted prior to incarceration, and parole may be granted once the inmate becomes eligible to request it either during their sentence in hopes of early release or after their time has been served as an extension of their sentence. In many cases, an individual is eligible to be released on parole after serving a third of their total sentence in prison or jail, but some people may qualify earlier.
The Texas Parole Board, however, can receive an inmate’s official request for parole long before they become eligible for release. The board members may vote on whether to grant parole up to 60 days before the date the inmate is eligible to be released, known as the voting window. This means your lawyer can submit a parole packet explaining why you’re a fair candidate months in advance for the Parole Board to review and consider.
It’s important for your lawyer to have as much time as possible to prepare a strong case that explains why you should receive parole. Taking early action could increase your chances of a positive outcome. Your parole lawyer in Beaumont, TX will submit the necessary documents to the Parole Board to consider as evidence of why you deserve to be released.
A thorough parole package should ideally provide sufficient evidence that establishes your reformation while incarcerated. It should further address the challenges you have confronted and processed to understand what motivated you to commit your crime. Proving you are no longer a threat to society, compelling testimony to the Parole Board will need to be carefully crafted.
Board members will consider various other factors when reviewing a parole case, such as your behavior while incarcerated, programs you have completed, any contributions you have made to society or their fellow inmates while imprisoned, and the level of threat you pose to public safety if released. Your parole package should also contain details about your plans as far as living arrangements and employment prospects.
Mandatory supervision, or mandatory release, is when an inmate is eligible for automatic release and supervision. This is allowed only for certain offenders, depending on the time served and their conviction. An inmate may not qualify until the time they’ve served in addition to their good time credit equals the full length of their sentence. Those not eligible for supervision are restricted to filing for parole, which requires the approval of the Board of Paroles, whereas mandatory release is not.
During a parole hearing, board members review the case details before deciding whether to grant parole. Inmates generally don’t attend this hearing but may be legally represented by their parole attorney. Any victims, relatives of the victim(s), and immediate family of the offender may also attend or have another party represent them.
The hearing will include reviewing the original offense, a recap of the inmate’s achievements and activity while imprisoned, future plans upon release, and the likelihood of recidivism.
Entrusting an experienced parole lawyer to represent you greatly increases your chances of receiving parole. A criminal attorney trained in parole proceedings can prepare a compelling parole packet on your behalf so the Board has a comprehensive idea of you as a person beyond the context of your conviction. Your lawyer can also emphasize your support network and goals for the future during the parole hearing and identify any unfair conditions expected for your parole as well.
In Texas, the Board of Paroles can set the conditions you must adhere to upon release, whether you’ve been granted parole or out on mandatory supervision. It’s important to follow the rules and conditions of your release to remain on parole and not suffer the consequences of violating parole. Conditions may include mandatory drug monitoring, sex offender registration, personal counseling, participation in education programs, and other requirements.
If you are accused of violating parole, your attorney can defend you and fight for you to avoid parole revocation. If you’re found guilty of a parole violation or other criminal activity, your parole can be revoked, and you will be sent back to prison for a portion of, or the remainder of, your original sentence, along with any time for any additional convictions.
If you or a loved one is eligible for parole within several months or this upcoming year, it’s crucial that you start early and act now. By preparing for a parole hearing in the months leading up to your eligibility date, you can feel confident that your qualified lawyer has ample time to build a compelling and thorough parole package. Speak with a parole attorney at Renick Law Firm, PLLC, today.