Texas Parole Hearing Lawyer

Helping You Through the Parole Process

In Texas, individuals convicted of certain offenses may be eligible for parole after serving a specific amount of time in prison. When a person is released on parole, they can spend the remainder of their term of imprisonment in the community under supervision instead of in a correctional facility. This privilege affords them a better opportunity to re-adjust to and become a productive member of society. Still, parole is not granted automatically. At a parole hearing, a voting panel will determine whether the individual should receive early release from prison and when that should occur. The panel will consider many factors when making this decision. If you or a loved one is being considered for parole, speak with an attorney about your case.

At Deandra Grant Law, we are here to assist you through every step of the process. Our Texas parole hearing attorney Madisen Pittman has a passion for helping those navigating the criminal justice system. She will meet with you and your loved ones to learn about you as a person and how you have learned from your experience and changed since your incarceration. Reviewing your accomplishments, achievements, and programs you participated in while in prison, she can develop a parole packet and release plan to demonstrate to the panel parole should be granted.

To speak with a parole hearing lawyer in Texas, please reach out to us at (214) 225-7117 or online.

Who Is Eligible for Parole in Texas?

As noted earlier, parole is not automatic and is not granted to every person who has been incarcerated. To be considered for relief, the individual must have served a certain percentage of their sentence. The number of years that equates to varies depending on the nature of the offense and the specific statute the person was charged under. When the individual is initially processed in the correctional facility, they will receive a sheet with their parole eligibility date calculated.

For people convicted of certain crimes, certain parole eligibility extensions may apply:

• If they are serving a life sentence for a capital felony, they are not eligible for parole until 40 years have elapsed.
• If they are serving a sentence as a repeat habitual offender, they are not eligible for parole until 35 years have elapsed.

In some cases, a person may not be eligible for parole at all.

Such situations include:

• When the individual has received a death sentence,
• When the individual has been sentenced to life without the possibility of parole, or
• When the individual has been sentenced for any of the following:
  • Human trafficking,
  • Continual sexual abuse of a child
  • Aggravated sexual assault

What Is the Parole Hearing Process in Texas?

The parole hearing process begins six months before the individual is eligible for relief. A notice will be sent to trial officials, the victim, and the victim's family, notifying each that the individual will be up for review.

An Institutional Parole Officer (IPO) will interview the individual and write up a case summary.

Their report will include various pieces of information, including:

• The nature of the offense the individual was convicted of,
• Whether the individual has a history of substance abuse,
• The individual's achievements and accomplishments while imprisoned,
• How well the individual has adjusted in the institution, and
• Whether the individual has any physical or mental conditions.

A three-person parole panel will review the IPO's report and determine whether the information warrants the individual's release. For the most part, the panel's decision is based on what the case summary contains – the individual may or may not be interviewed.

For parole to be granted, two of the three panel members must vote in favor of the individual.

What Factors Do Texas Parole Panels Consider?

When deciding whether to grant parole, the panel will act in a way that they believe is in the best interests of society. Essentially, their decision will be based on the possibility of the individual causing harm to themselves or others after release.

The factors the panel will consider include:

• The severity of the offense
• Letters of support or protest
• Sentence length
• Time served
• Criminal history
• Institutional adjustment
• The offender's age

To grant parole, the panel must be convinced that the individual will live as a law-abiding citizen not just during the parole period but well after.

How Long After the Parole Hearing Will the Individual Be Released?

If the panel votes to grant parole, that does not necessarily mean the individual will be immediately released. An approval vote can take many forms. For instance, the individual may be released when eligible for parole, or they may be granted parole but not released until a future date. They may also be granted parole but with the condition that they be released only after completing a rehabilitation program.

What Are the Conditions of Parole in Texas?

Being granted parole allows the individual to serve the remainder of their sentence outside of prison. However, they are still under supervision and must abide by the conditions imposed upon them. The terms will vary depending on the facts of the case.

Conditions of parole in Texas may include, but are not limited to:

• Live or not live in a certain county
• Pay damages resulting from the individual's criminal conduct
• Attend psychological counseling
• Participate in a substance abuse treatment program
• Participate in sex offender treatment
• Be subject to controlled substance testing
• Sex offender registration
• No contact with the victim

Upon being granted parole, the individual will receive a statement with the conditions of their release. If they violate any of the terms, they might be subject to various consequences. For minor violations, they will be required to attend a conference and face low-level sanctions.

For major violations, a warrant will be issued for the individual's arrest, and they will be scheduled for a hearing. The hearing is to determine whether sufficient evidence exists to consider revoking parole. If, during a revocation hearing, the individual is found to have violated the conditions of parole, they could be re-incarcerated.

Consult With a Texas Parole Hearing Attorney

Crafting a compelling argument for a parole panel to consider takes a great deal of time and an understanding of the justice system. Our team is ready to dedicate the resources necessary to seek early release from prison.

To get started on your case, call our parole hearing lawyer in Texas at (214) 225-7117 or submit an online contact form today.