When a person is convicted of a crime in Chester County, they will likely be sent to a sentencing hearing to await the judge's decision on what sentence is appropriate for their crime. If a person is to be sentenced to incarceration, they will face a minimum and maximum term. In addition, the court will designate a time appropriate for them to be eligible for release on parole. Parole is a person's release from incarceration, depending on their ability to adhere to certain terms set by the court. Typical terms of parole include court supervision from a parole officer, regular drug testing, and attendance to any programs mandated by the court. Matters of parole in Chester County are handled by the Adult Probation and Parole division of the Chester County Court of Common Pleas.
Requesting Early Parole in Chester County
While the judge typically will set the time that a person is eligible for a release on parole, there are times when a person may be eligible for a release on early parole. A filing for early parole release can be done at any time after a person's placement into incarceration, however, the court will weigh out a number of factors when deciding to grant an early release. These factors include:
- A person's behavior and cooperativeness throughout their incarceration
- The crime the person has been convicted of
- Arguments made during the person's sentencing hearing
- How the crime impacted the community
- The person's arguments and evidence for their release
Early Parole Hearings in Chester County
In order for the court to consider a defendant's early release, the defendant must first properly file a motion for release with the county. Once a successful filing is made, the Chester County Board of Probation will begin proceedings for a hearing to determine their eligibility for parole. Parole hearings are interview based hearings where the defendant can testify in support of their case for release. The board will weigh out arguments and evidence presented, and vote on a decision. At times, the judge who sentenced the defendant may be there as well.
Parole is normally granted after the time period set by the court, however, the process is normally lengthy and difficult, especially when navigating the system from a position of incarceration. While filing for early parole can be done on one's own, incarcerated individuals are still entitled to the representation from an attorney. An attorney can ensure that the filing is conducted correctly and may even speed up the time frame for a defendant to get to a hearing. In addition to this, an attorney can help a person prepare their case for the parole board.
If you or a loved one is seeking an early parole release in Chester County, contact attorney Joseph D. Lento today.
