A client’s case does not end with the criminal trial—it shifts to an equally critical phase: advocating for their release before the Georgia State Board of Pardons and Paroles. As a criminal defense attorney, I have guided many clients and their families through this emotionally charged, often confusing process. Here’s what you need to know about preparing for a parole hearing in Georgia.
Understanding the Parole Process in Georgia
First, it’s important to clarify that Georgia does not hold traditional in-person parole hearings in most cases. Unlike some other states, the Georgia Board operates administratively, reviewing cases internally rather than conducting open hearings where attorney, clients, or families speak directly to the board.
However, this doesn’t mean there’s no role for advocacy—far from it. It simply changes the way we advocate.
Step 1: Know Your Eligibility Date
Georgia uses a parole eligibility system based on the parole applicant’s sentence, severity of the offense, and time served. For most offenses, an individual becomes eligible for parole after serving one-third of their sentence. However, for certain serious or violent crimes, different rules apply.
As an attorney, my first step is confirming exactly when a client becomes eligible and what specific parole guidelines apply to their case.
Step 2: Compile a Strong Parole Packet
Since there is no formal hearing, the parole packet becomes the parole applicant’s voice before the board. The parole packet must be persuasive, comprehensive, and deeply humanizing. This is where legal expertise and personal narrative intersect.
A well-prepared parole packet typically includes:
- Parole Applicant Taking Accountability: This includes expressing remorse, taking responsibility for their actions, outlining their dedication to their rehabilitation, and explaining their goals if released.
- Letters of Support: The letters are typically no more than a page or two long, and can be from family, friends, employers, clergy, community members, or other incarcerated people that are willing to vouch for the parole applicant’s character, readiness to reenter society, and the ways the author of the letter is prepared to assist the parole applicant as they navigate reentry.
- Institutional Record: The parole applicant should compile all their certificates from educational programs, vocational training, substance abuse treatment, and faith-based courses while incarcerated. The parole applicant should also detail their work assignments/placements and any volunteer work completed while in prison.
- Reentry Plan: The parole applicant should prepare a detailed reentry plan that includes transitional housing, employment/vocational training, substance use support (if applicable), and any additional community supports they will have if released.
Step 3: Prepare the Family
Families often feel powerless in the parole process. I work closely with them to educate and involve them from the beginning of the process, until the end of the process. Family members and other loved ones are instrumental in preparing letters of support, gathering documentation, and forming a strong reentry plan.
Step 4: Be Realistic, but Persistent
Parole is a privilege, not a right—but that does not mean we stop fighting. If the board denies parole, they will often set a parole reconsideration date, usually between 1 to 8 years later. I prepare parole applicants for this possibility and continue working with them to strengthen their record while they wait for their next parole hearing date. Persistence, preparation, and strategic advocacy can significantly impact the board’s view of a case over time.
Have Questions? Give Me a Call.
As a defense attorney, one of the most meaningful aspects of my work is helping clients earn a second chance. The Georgia parole system may be opaque and bureaucratic, but with the right preparation and a thoughtful approach, it is possible to make a compelling case for release.
If your loved one is approaching parole eligibility and you need legal support or guidance in preparing a parole packet, do not wait. The sooner we begin preparing, the better the outcome we can work toward. Call me today.
