Following a conviction, you may be sentenced to serve jail time. Depending on whether you pose a threat to society, you may be offered the opportunity of an early release through parole. You may be granted conditional freedom after serving a portion of your prison sentence. However, in exchange, they must adhere to specific terms to re-enter society. Prisoners granted parole are referred to as parolees. Violating the conditions of your parole in New York can have serious consequences, including being taken back into custody. If you have been accused of violating the terms of your parole, it’s in your best interest to enlist the help of our seasoned Nassau County Criminal Defense Attorneys, who can defend your rights and interests at your violation hearing. Please continue reading to learn the potential consequences of a parole violation in New York.
What is Parole?
Parole is a process in which a person incarcerated has been granted permission for a conditional release but still has time left on their sentence. In other words, parolees will continue to be supervised until they have completed their sentence. A paroled inmate must adhere to specific court-ordered rules in return for an early release from prison. The parole conditions in New York are strict and vary depending on each case. Some common parole conditions that parolees must meet include:
- Regularly meet with a designated parole offer
- Maintain employment and a residence
- Stay within a specific geographic area (travel restrictions)
- Attend drug or alcohol recovery programs
- Avoid criminal activity and contacting victims
Parolees who don’t follow the rules risk going back into custody. It’s imperative to understand that under the traditional parole system, parole is a privilege for prisoners deemed capable of reintegrating into society—not a right. Parole boards can deny this conditional release if they believe a prison would harm the general public. State laws stipulate that certain convictions make prisoners ineligible for parole or eligible only after serving a substantial prison sentence.
What Could Happen If I’m Accused of Violating the Conditions of My Parole?
When a parolee fails to live up to the conditions of their early release, they will have to attend a violation hearing or face parole revocation. The parole board will consider the nature and circumstances of the violation in question. If you’re accused of a minor violation, it will usually result in stricter conditions, yet you won’t be taken back into custody. Major violations, on the other hand, may warrant the revocation of your parole, meaning you will have to serve the remainder of your sentence in prison. However, the parole board may impose additional time on your original sentence in extreme cases.
If you’re facing parole revocation, please don’t hesitate to contact a competent attorney from KCS Law, who can effectively represent your interests. Our legal team is prepared to help you safeguard your freedom.
