Can You Get Parole After a Violent Crime in California?

Posted on: August 16th, 2024 by Dod Law

California automatically releases some of its imprisoned parties onto parole after they’ve served their time. As such, you may get parole after a violent crime in California. Your right to parole will vary depending on your specific crime, your behavior while imprisoned, and your criminal history.

You can work with a criminal defense attorney at Dod Law to apply for parole. Our firm can walk you through the different levels of parole and determine which you might have the best chance of receiving. Once you decide how to proceed, you can count on our representation as you fight to regain your freedom.

Parole and Its Relationship to Imprisonment in California

If you’re accused of a serious or violent felony in California, you have an obligation to serve out your required prison time. Afterward, the state will automatically place you on parole. The state will assign you a parole officer and dictate how many years you’ll remain under supervision while walking free.

This mandatory parole system allegedly serves the public by increasing the safety of people interacting with convicted criminals. However, parole can also unreasonably limit your freedoms, reduce your social opportunities, and put you at risk for a return to jail.

What’s more, California may deny certain parties parole if the courts believe that a recipient may pose an immediate threat to public safety. So, depending on the type of violent crime you committed, you may be able to get parole. 

California’s Six Different Levels of Parole and Parole Supervision

Once you begin parole, you can expect to endure one of California’s six levels of parole supervision. These levels include the following:

• Intensive re-entry, or parole involving immediate and enhanced supervision as you rejoin the public eye.
• Regular re-entry, or supervision that takes place for a reduced amount of time as you seek out employment and housing.
• Specialized caseloads, or parole involving individualized supervision. High-risk individuals often benefit from a parole supervisor’s specialized caseload.
• Case management supervision, or monitoring that significantly reduces upon evidence that you’ve successfully re-entered society.
• Electronic supervision, or a parole officer’s 24/7 supervision of your digital footprint.
• Personal care, or parole that involves assistance with post-imprisonment education, personal training, and community re-entry.

The state may change your level of parole supervision over time depending on your comfort during re-entry.

Parolee Conditions in California

Most people on parole have to fulfill certain conditions to remain on parole instead of returning to prison. These conditions may include the following:

• Blanket consent to warrantless conditions
• Ban from weapons possession
• Ban from the internet or other digital platforms
• Ban from communication with known criminals
• Limited housing opportunities in a controlled county
• Registration with local authorities, particularly in instances involving arson, drug use, and/or sex crimes
• Consistent check-ins with a relevant parole officer
• Participation in a non-revocable parole program, if applicable

The state retains the right to reassess a person’s parole standing at the behest of a parole officer. Most of the time, the limitations placed on a parolee relax after three years. However, interested parties can work with a criminal defense attorney to advocate for their right to less rigid parole restrictions.

Challenging False Accusations of Violating Parole

You have the right to work with a criminal defense attorney if you want to push for a lighter parole sentence or an earlier release. Likewise, you can work with a legal professional at Dod Law to challenge false accusations of parole violations. Dod Law can help you discuss the nature of your parole with an agent before defending your right to release in criminal court.

Whether you need representation in a violation hearing or want help arranging parole in the first place, consider reaching out to Dod Law. The firm fights back against wrongful parole revocations and unjustly-long imprisonments. Call us at our San Diego office (619) 814-5110 | Vista office (760) 814-6025 or schedule an appointment by filling out our online contact form to discuss the best way forward.