Q What is the difference between Texas parole and Texas probation? A Texas parole and probation attorney explains
Although in a very general sense there are similarities in that people on probation and parole must abide by a set of rules and conditions and violation of those rules can lead to being locked up, they are very different.
- Probation is a form of court ordered supervision. Individuals are placed on probation as an alternative to jail or prison. They are given a set of conditions set by the court and supervised by the county probation department. Depending on the type of community supervision they may have avoided a final conviction. If a condition of probation is violated they return to court and can be sentenced to jail or prison. The length of the sentence will be determined in court.
- Parole is a form of supervision overseen by the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles. Parole is for individuals who have been convicted of a third degree felony or higher and were sentenced to prison. At some point during an offender’s sentence, with a few exceptions, they will become eligible for parole and the parole board can grant them a conditional release from prison that is called parole. Conditions for parolees are set by the parole board, not a court, and they are supervised by employees of the Texas parole board. If they violate a condition of parole they can be sent back to prison and the time left for them to serve is based on how much credit they have toward completing their sentence.
If you have any questions about parole or probation please call us at 713-651-1444 or fill out an online contact form and an experience attorney will contact you shortly. We are a full service criminal defense firm who represent individuals at each stage of the criminal justice process. We regularly represent individuals on probation related matters and represent offenders in the parole process across the state of Texas. If you are concerned about your parole or probation being revoked you have rights before your freedom can be taken away. You need an experienced attorney to defend those rights.
