A Texas parole lawyer explains how to determine when someone can be released on parole if they were sentenced to consecutive sentences.
Many years ago the parole board would add the two sentences together and parole eligibility would be determined based on one long sentence. Today both sentences are treated separately. An offender will be parole eligible on the first sentence. Instead of being eligible for release on parole the offender is eligible to have their next sentence start. If the parole board gives a favorable vote the offender’s next sentence will begin. If they vote to deny, the offender must continue serving the first sentence. For example:
- An offender is sentenced to serve one five-year sentence for burglary of a building and a five-year sentence for possession of a controlled substance to run consecutively after the burglary of a building. The offender will meet the parole eligibility requirements in under a year on the burglary. If he receives a positive vote then he will begin to receive credit on the possession case. When the offender becomes eligible for parole on the possession case the Parole board will decide weather to release the offender on parole or not.
If you have further questions regarding the effects of a consecutive sentence on parole please fill out an online contact form and an experienced Texas parole lawyer will call you shortly. If you have questions about the parole process or how you can help someone try to get released on parole please call us on our toll free number 888-661-5030.