What are the 5 most common criminal charges?
A criminal defense attorney sees many different clients confronted with a variety of criminal charges. Each fee and associated laws are different, making them difficult to navigate. Criminal defense attorneys are able to interpret the law and determine the best defense for a client facing a criminal charge.
Original Panel
The Original Panel includes panelists who have previously heard your loved one’s case. The BA assigns the cases back to the original committee under the following conditions. As defined in BPP-POL.145.206, the original panel reviews special requests that involve errors in the processing of administrative files or misinformation.
- Administrative File Processing Error – This error will result in the case being reviewed by the original board as the information was received prior to the parole board vote but was not sent to the board for review and consideration. Examples include, but are not limited to: a) A parole board member granted counsel’s request for a pre-review interview, but the interview did not take place. b) Disciplinary action lifted but presented as ongoing disciplinary action.
- Misinformation – This error results in the case being reviewed by the original panel as they may have relied on misinformation or incorrect information presented to the parole board to make their decision. Examples include, but are not limited to: a) Case incorrectly identified as SB 917.
b) The case summary shows that the offender refused to participate in a program and it is later determined that the offender did not refuse to participate.
Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles and the TDCJ Division of Pardons and Paroles
The Board of Pardons and Pardons (“BPP” or “Board”) consists of seven members appointed by Governor with approval of the Texas Senate and must be representative of the general public. The governor may remove a director at any time for any reason, except for directors appointed by a previous governor. Governor appointments must be made without regard to race, color, sex, age or other discriminatory factors. Board members must have resided in Texas for two years prior to appointment, and no more than three board members may be former TDCJ employees. Each board member has a staggered term of office of six years.
The President of the Board, selected by the Governor, appoints 14 parole officers to assist the Board in revocation and parole decisions. All board members and probation officers are required to receive extensive training on the criminal justice system, particularly probation procedures. Board members and parole officers determine:
How long will an offender serve before being eligible for parole?
This is of course the most common question lawyers are asked when a client applies for a prison sentence. Basically, it depends on whether it is a serious or non-serious crime.
Serious crimes are found at 508.145 of the Texas Government Code. Included: