What Do I Do If I've Violated My Parole?
If you've violated your parole in Texas, you might be facing serious consequences that can significantly impact your future. At The Torres Attorneys, we understand the challenges that come with parole violations and the fear that often accompanies them.
As a Texas criminal defense firm, we are committed to guiding individuals through the process of handling a parole violation with legal advice and a clear strategy. If you find yourself in this situation, there are steps you can take to protect your rights and attempt to minimize the penalties.
Let’s walk you through what happens when parole is violated and what actions you can take.
What Is Parole?
Before we dive into what happens if you violate parole, it's crucial to understand what parole is. Parole is a conditional release granted to a person serving time for a criminal conviction.
While parole allows individuals to serve the remainder of their sentence outside prison, it comes with strict conditions that must be followed. Violating any of these conditions can lead to serious legal consequences.
How Does Parole Violation Work in Texas?
A parole violation occurs when someone breaks the rules or conditions set by the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles. This can include failing to check in with a parole officer, committing a new crime, violating curfew, or using drugs or alcohol, among others. Texas parole violations are serious matters, and the consequences can vary depending on the severity of the violation.
Minor violations might result in warnings, stricter conditions, or additional monitoring.
Major violations could lead to the revocation of parole and a return to prison.
What Happens After a Parole Violation?
If we are caught violating our parole, the consequences can vary based on several factors. First, a parole officer will typically notify the parole board or the court about the violation.
In most cases, a hearing will be scheduled to determine what action will be taken. The parolee will have the opportunity to explain why the violation occurred and argue why they should not be sent back to prison. Here’s what we can expect:
Parole Violation Hearing
The hearing is a critical moment in the parole violation process. During this hearing, the parole board will review the alleged violation and consider any evidence presented. If you’ve violated parole, it’s important to have legal representation, as an experienced criminal defense lawyer can help present a strong case to minimize penalties.
Our options at the hearing might include:
Negotiating for a lesser penalty: If the violation was minor, we might be able to argue for alternatives to prison time, like extended probation or community service.
Seeking a reduction in the sentence: We could also aim to negotiate a reduced sentence, which may allow for a faster release from prison.
Presenting evidence in our defense: If there are circumstances that contributed to the violation, we can present these to the parole board, possibly reducing the penalties.
Consequences of a Parole Violation
If the parole board decides to revoke our parole, we may face serious consequences. The violation may result in us being sent back to prison to serve the remainder of the original sentence. In some cases, we may be eligible for another parole hearing after a certain period, but this depends on the nature of the violation.
Possible consequences include:
Returning to prison: For major violations, the parole board can revoke parole and require the individual to finish the remaining sentence.
Extended parole conditions: Sometimes, the board might reinstate parole but impose stricter conditions to monitor the individual closely.
Worsening legal standing: A parole violation on your record could make it more difficult to secure parole in the future.
What Are the Most Common Parole Violations in Texas?
Understanding the most common parole violations can help us avoid them. Some violations are relatively minor, while others are more serious and could result in the revocation of parole.
Failure to report: Not checking in with the parole officer regularly is one of the most common violations.
New criminal charges: Committing a new crime while on parole is considered a major violation and can lead to severe consequences.
Substance abuse: Violating drug or alcohol rules, including using controlled substances or failing a drug test, is a serious violation.
Curfew violations: Being out past curfew without prior approval can be seen as a violation.
Failure to complete required programs: If parole conditions require attendance at certain programs, such as anger management or job training, failing to complete them can be a violation.
What Can We Do If We’ve Violated Parole?
If we’ve violated our parole, it’s essential to take immediate action to address the situation. Here are steps we can take to possibly avoid severe consequences:
1. Contact a Parole Officer
If we’re aware that we’ve violated our parole, it’s critical to reach out to our parole officer as soon as possible. Being proactive and honest may demonstrate to the parole board that we are taking responsibility for our actions, which might work in our favor during the hearing. Sometimes, the parole officer may issue a warning or work with us to fix the violation without further consequences.
2. Seek Legal Representation
A criminal defense attorney with experience handling parole violations is a valuable asset. We can benefit from legal counsel in the following ways:
Understanding our rights: Our criminal defense lawyer will guide us through the process and explain what we are entitled to.
Representing us in hearings: A qualified attorney will attend the parole hearing with us and argue our case, potentially securing a better outcome.
Negotiating with the parole board: Our criminal defense lawyer can negotiate on our behalf for less severe consequences.
3. Attend the Parole Hearing
The parole hearing is a chance for us to explain our side and possibly receive a lesser penalty. When attending a parole hearing, we should:
Prepare a defense: Work with our attorney to come up with a clear and compelling defense. This could include explaining why the violation occurred, providing evidence of rehabilitation, or presenting personal circumstances that contributed to the violation.
Be respectful and remorseful: We should approach the hearing with respect for the parole board and show genuine remorse for the violation.
4. Work Toward Rehabilitation
One of the best things we can do is demonstrate to the parole board that we are working on improving ourselves. Whether through substance abuse treatment, attending educational programs, or participating in community service, showing efforts toward rehabilitation can strengthen our case during a parole hearing.
Steps toward rehabilitation might include:
Enrolling in counseling or treatment programs
Volunteering in the community
Completing job training or educational programs
Maintaining employment and showing stability
5. Stay Out of Trouble
After the violation, we need to stay out of further legal trouble. Any additional violations or criminal charges will significantly harm our chances of receiving leniency at the parole hearing. By staying on the straight and narrow, we can help improve our situation and show the parole board that we are making positive changes.
Contact Us Today
If you’ve violated your parole in Texas, it’s crucial to address the situation with careful planning and professional legal help. At The Torres Attorneys, we are here to help you traverse the process and defend your rights. We serve clients in Corpus Christi, Texas, as well as Dallas, and Fort Worth. Reach out today for a consultation and let us guide you through this challenging process.