Though your legal representation may have made their best efforts to defend your case, the New Jersey criminal court may have still found you guilty of a criminal offense and sentenced you to time in prison. While you may have to serve some of your sentence in isolation, what might get you through this is the hope that you can spend the rest of it back in society under the supervision of a prison authority. This is otherwise known as being placed on parole. With all that being said, please read on to discover the types of crimes that are possibly eligible for parole and how one of the seasoned New Jersey & Pennsylvania criminal defense lawyers at The Vigilante Law Firm, P.C., can help you be granted this.
What crimes are eligible for parole in the state of New Jersey?
You must view being granted parole as a privilege rather than a right. This is to say that the New Jersey State Parole Board, which is different from the criminal court that originally gave your prison sentence, may hold the authority to grant or deny your parole, and their decision is not guaranteed. Generally speaking, the Board will consider the following factors:
- The nature of the criminal offense you committed, along with the extent of your criminal history.
- The length of time you were sentenced to in prison, and how much of it you have served thus far.
- The behavior you exhibited in prison, and whether you ever received any disciplinary infractions.
- The rehabilitation programs you participated in (i.e., substance abuse programs, educational programs, etc).
- The testimonies and statements provided by the victims of your criminal offense and their families.
- The predicted likelihood of you being a repeat offender or otherwise posing a threat back in society.
What are the possible conditions set on my parole?
Even if you are deemed eligible for parole, this does not mean that you are considered a free member of society. To reiterate, parole means that you are still serving the remainder of your imposed prison sentence, you are just doing so outside the walls of a New Jersey state prison. That is, you are doing so under the watchful eye of a parole officer appointed to you by the Board.
Your parole officer must ensure you are meeting the set conditions of your parole. These conditions may range from staying in a residence within a certain geographical area, maintaining stable employment, abstaining from drugs and alcohol, relinquishing your firearms and weapons, and much more. There may also be special conditions put into place. For example, if your crime was a sexual offense, you may be required to remain under the supervision of a parole officer for life after your release from prison.
In conclusion, if you find yourself in need of legal aid, look no further than one of the experienced New Jersey & Pennsylvania criminal defense lawyers. Whether you simply have a legal question or require legal representation in an upcoming court case, our team at The Vigilante Law Firm, P.C., is willing to help out. Pick up the phone and call us today.
