Strickland Webster, LLC: Your Parole Lawyers in Georgia
Georgia parole lawyers can provide legal advice and representation at parole hearings, as well as post-parole assistance. Call Strickland Webster today.
Parole Attorney in Georgia
Parole is a discretionary act by the Georgia State Board of Pardons and Paroles to free certain people from the confinement of certain convicts after they serve a suitable portion of their sentence. Individuals on parole stay under state control and supervision conditions. If they violate such conditions, they risk re-imprisonment.
In Georgia, individuals serving a felony conviction usually have a chance for parole at least once during their prison sentence. However, this varies depending on the case.
If you or a family member is eligible for parole, consider hiring a parole lawyer to oversee the board hearing. A parole lawyer will work with you and help you during the parole board hearing to achieve notable results.
How Does the Parole Process Work in Georgia?
The Georgia State Board of Pardons and Paroles controls the parole process, deciding if an inmate is eligible for parole and finding reasonable conditions. After serving a third of their confinement period, most inmates become statutorily eligible for parole.
To grant release, the parole board requires an approval vote by most of its members. During the consideration time, the board sets up a Tentative Parole Month (TPM).
At the TPM, the board may vote on whether to grant parole in the future or deny it entirely. The board may also reconsider changing the former case decision at any time before the date of parole due to specific reasons. Despite inmates being eligible for parole in Georgia, they have no right to demand release on parole.
TPMs are not final release decisions. The board will review the offender’s case file at the TPM in order to determine whether to release the offender on parole.
What Are Georgia Parole Considerations and Eligibility?
To consider an inmate for parole, the board reviews an offender’s recommendation of the sentence percentage. In addition, the board obtains the requests from the Parole Decision Guidelines, which account for the extremity of the crime committed and the risk of a convicted offender’s violating parole.
The board reviews the offender’s social and criminal history to determine the risk of an offender violating parole. In addition, the parole board reviews the convicts’ crime severity before reaching a parole decision.
In Georgia, most inmates are statutorily eligible for parole only after serving a third of their confinement. It should be noted that not all eligible inmates get parole on their initial eligibility date. The following sentences are eligible for parole consideration:
- Misdemeanor sentences
- Felony sentences except in cases of serious violent felonies and where the person is serving time for a fourth, fifth, or sixth felony.
The board considers an inmate for parole after verifying the following:
- Confirming an inmates residence plan;
- Verify an offender’s request for out-of-state;
- Verify if an offender has a detainer with the Department of Corrections;
- Offender’s performance in an incentive credit program.
Who Is Not Eligible for Parole Consideration in Georgia?
Georgia state law requires the following offenders to serve their entire sentence without eligibility for parole:
- Persons convicted of serious violent crimes, which include murder, voluntary manslaughter, DUI homicide, statutory rape, cruelty to children, incest, first-degree arson, armed robbery, kidnapping, aggravated child molestation, drug trafficking, aggravated sodomy, and aggravated sexual battery.
- Persons convicted for a second time with a severe violent felony will receive a life sentence without parole.
- An individual convicted of a fourth and subsequent felony.
- People sentenced to life without parole.
Additionally, the Georgia Constitution grants the parole board jurisdiction to review for parole any individual who is 62 years or older, regardless of the statute explicitly prohibiting the release.
What Are Georgia Parole Conditions?
According to the Georgia State Board of Pardons and Paroles, once they release an inmate on parole, they are to abide by certain conditions where violation may result in an arrest and revocation of parole. The following conditions apply:
-
A parolee needs to follow all directives from the probation officer
-
Maintain gainful employment
-
Abide by all laws
-
Remain within Georgia State
-
Request permission to change residence
-
Pay any child support as per the court order
-
Pay the victim compensation fee, supervision fee, or any restitution
-
Refrain from owning/possessing a firearm or any other deadly weapon
What Role Does an Attorney Have in the Parole Process?
In the parole process, it is crucial to have the representation of a lawyer skilled in parole matters. A lawyer will be able to examine your case for you and present reliable information to the board to ensure a fair hearing. Here are some examples of what your parole lawyer can do: :
-
Review your case files to rectify inaccurate information.
-
Include positive information and reliable factors in your file.
-
Request the parole board to reconsider your file
-
Investigate, organize, and present facts that your criminal defense attorney may have missed before the board panel.
How to Get Help From a Parole Attorney?
If you have any questions about your parole considerations, consult legal counsel from a renowned law firm in Atlanta, Georgia. One of our knowledgeable attorneys will advise you on how the parole law and procedures work. In addition, your lawyer will oversee your parole board hearing to ensure you get notable results.
Contact an attorney at Strickland Webster, LLC, to offer you high-quality legal representation in the proceedings. We serve our clients with diligence and understanding. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Long Does It Take the Parole Board to Make a Decision in Georgia?
It may take a parole board about six months to re-evaluate an inmate and decide. After the conclusion, an inmate receives an early release letter and a parole certificate approximately 14 days before release.
Can a Life Sentence Inmate Receive Parole in Georgia?
For a life sentence inmate to receive a parole grant, they must complete a Department of Corrections work release program as a requirement for parole. If the board denies them parole, by policy, they may reconsider the case at least once more every eight years.
What Is the Difference Between Parole and Probation?
Parole is an early release of a convict from prison before their maximum release date. In contrast, probation is a court sentence following a criminal case plea as an alternative to jail time. During probation, an offender remains out of jail under the supervision of a professional from the criminal justice system.