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How Does a Judge Decide How Long Someone is on Parole/Probation?

It is possible for the court to release you from the terms of your parole or probation early if you comply with all the requirements, and the court is sure that you will stay on the right side of the law.

No one wishes to be on probation or parole except when the only other choice is incarceration. It can be a great relief when a judge sentences you to community supervision instead of jail or prison. People serving prison sentences look forward to their parole eligibility dates. Once you are out on probation or parole, however, your case can go in a variety of directions. If you fail to comply with the conditions of your probation sentence or your parole, you could end up back in prison. Conversely, if you do everything you are supposed to do, you may have the chance for the state to release you from community supervision early, and then you will truly be free. If you are serving a sentence on probation or parole, contact the Fort Worth criminal defense lawyers at the Law Office of Kyle Whitaker.

The End of Your Community Supervision Sentence is a Moving Target

Most offenses come with a range of sentences; the judge might even get to choose between prison and community supervision. Texas law uses the term “community supervision” to refer to the system that most other states refer to as probation. The initial length of your community supervision sentence is up to the discretion of the judge, as long as it is within the statutory sentencing limits for the offense in question. Factors that influence the length of your sentence include whether you have any prior offenses and whether you took a plea deal or were convicted at trial.

You will become eligible for early termination of probation once you have served one-third of the probation sentence; therefore, if the judge sentenced you to a year of probation, you will become eligible for early termination after four months. If your probation sentence is six years or longer, you become eligible for early termination after two years.

When You are on Parole, You are Technically Finishing Your Prison Sentence

Most defendants serving prison sentences become eligible for parole after serving half of their sentences. Defendants serving life sentences with the possibility of parole become eligible for parole after 30 years. Once you get released on parole, the original assumption is that you will finish out your sentence, except out in the community instead of behind bars. Some defendants must stay on parole for life. In some cases, you can be freed early from the requirements of parole.

Contact the Fort Worth Law Office of Kyle Whitaker About Criminal Defense Cases

A criminal defense attorney can help you exercise your rights while you are serving a sentence from the criminal court on community supervision or parole. Contact the Law Office of Kyle Whitaker in Fort Worth, Texas, to discuss your case.