What Are the Requirements of Parole in Colorado?

When you have been released on parole, you might feel like you have a second chance. And you must follow the requirements of your parole or risk going back to live behind bars. Parole conditions can often be more complex than you might have thought. 

Make sure you understand your rights and responsibilities on parole in Colorado, and contact experienced criminal defense attorney Mitch Geller if you have questions or have been accused of violating the terms of your parole.

What is Parole, and Who is Eligible in Colorado?

When a person has been convicted of a crime and completed a portion of their sentence, they may be eligible for parole. If you are granted parole, you may be released from prison and allowed to restart your life. But not every inmate is eligible for parole. Whether you are eligible for parole depends on the crime you were charged with and how much of your sentence you have completed. 

For example, if you were convicted of class 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 felonies, under Colorado law, you will be eligible for parole after you have completed fifty percent of your original sentence. But if you were convicted of a violent crime such as aggravated robbery, kidnapping, or second-degree murder, you would need to serve a minimum of seventy-five percent of your sentence before becoming eligible for parole. 

Multiple factors will be taken into consideration when determining whether an inmate is eligible for parole. Some of these factors include:

• How the inmate was involved in the crime

• Whether there was a justifiable reason for the crime

• Whether the inmate has shown remorse

• Whether the inmate has previous convictions

• Whether the inmate is at risk for re-offending

These are only a few factors the parole board will consider when determining whether your parole request should be granted. Learn more about how to prepare for your parole hearing when you contact your Colorado criminal defense attorney. 

Colorado Requirements for Parole

If the parole board grants your request for parole, there are stringent requirements in place that you will need to follow. Judges also have the discretion to include additional provisions that may not be commonly ordered for other parolees. With that being said, some of the most common requirements you will need to follow if you are granted parole in Colorado include:

• Random drug and/or alcohol testing

• Curfews

• Residency requirements

• Job requirements

• Inability to use the internet or social media

• Inability to be around children, even your own

• GPS monitoring

• House arrest

While on parole, you will need to follow these requirements strictly to avoid violating the terms of your parole. You will be required to check in with your parole officer regularly while on parole in Colorado.

What Happens if You Violate Parole in Colorado?

There are many different ways in which you could violate the terms of your parole. In addition to the previously mentioned requirements, you will also need to avoid being charged with another crime while you are on parole. 

Doing so is a violation and will almost certainly result in your re-arrest. If this happens, you will need to complete the terms of your original crime, as well as any additional charges you might face for new criminal convictions. Other types of parole violations include: 

• Refusing to submit to drug or alcohol testing

• Refusing to allow your parole office to search you or your residence

• Leaving the state of Colorado

• Failure to check-in with your parole officer

• Failure to file a change of address

• Committing a new crime

If you violate parole, you are at risk of being arrested and imprisoned once more. Fortunately, you will have the opportunity to defend yourself at your parole hearing. This is where your criminal defense attorney can help defend your case to the parole board. 

By proving a parole violation did not occur or giving a reasonable explanation for why you may have had no other choice but to make the decision you made, you may be able to avoid the harsh consequences of a Colorado parole violation.

Contact a Colorado Criminal Defense Attorney Today

If you are up for parole, are interested in requesting parole, or have concerns about parole violations, you need an experienced Colorado criminal defense lawyer on your side. Attorney Mitch Geller could help you avoid going back to prison and rebuild your life. 

Schedule your initial consultation when you call our office at 720-696-7897. Or complete our convenient contact form to get started today.