Criminal Defense Lawyer

It is important to  know the difference between probation and parole. Simply put, when you have been sentenced to probation this is included in your sentencing or sometimes your sentencing in a criminal case. While parole is when you have already been sentenced and are released from the prison. If either probation or parole are violated, you could be facing jail time, depending on the conditions. With parole, once a certain amount of time has been served in prison, an inmate may be eligible to be released early. However with probation, if done right and followed, a defendant may never see jail once sentenced.

Individuals are sometimes considered eligible for release if they are rehabilitated. If they can somehow prove to a parole board that they have been rehabilitated and can be a law abiding citizen, they may be released. However, not every offense is eligible for parole.

While many consider probation prison while not in prison. It allows defendants to live a somewhat normal life. Sometimes probation includes some time in jail and then other stipulations once released, other times there is no jail time to be served at all, there are only a few rules to abide by and certain restrictions. This sounds much like parole, once an individual is released on parole. The difference in this is parole is for federal inmates, prisoners, who are in custody for crimes they have been found guilty in the court of law, and typically more than a year. While probation candidates, if sentenced to jail time, only serve a year or less or are awaiting trial.

To qualify for either, there are a few things that must be considered. As previously mentioned, federal prison inmates (who are found guilty of felonies) may be eligible for parole and in no way qualify for probation. It is not always easy to be considered eligible for parole, and is often denied to inmates but it is up to a parole board to make that decision. Inmates who have shown good behavior, and who have not been a repeat offender may have a better chance of qualifying for parole than those who have not shown good behavior. If found eligible and given parole, like probation, you may feel like a prisoner outside of prison.

If granted either parole or probation it is best to stay on the right side of the law and no associate in any way with criminals, this way you can enjoy your freedom as much as possible. If you violate with parole, you will be arrested and may not ever be considered again. If you or someone you know would like to see what options they have with either, speak with a skilled criminal defense attorney in Dekalb County, GA as soon as possible.

Thanks to Andrew R. Lynch, P.C. for their insight into criminal defense and parole.