Federal Repeat Offender Law Limited by Supreme Court One June 10th, the U.S. Supreme Court limited the federal repeat offender law. As a result, prior convictions for reckless violent crimes can no longer trigger a sentence enhancement. The Supreme Court distinguished between crimes involving reckless and intentional mental states. Now, the law only applies to … Read more
It is important to understand who votes on your loved one’s parole case and what offenses require all seven Texas Parole Board members to vote to help ensure your loved one has the best chance of being granted parole. Below, we detail the Extraordinary Vote policy, which is the process by which the Board may … Read more
The Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) does not want gangs in the prison system. In this post, we will address the effects of gang membership in TDCJ and how to get out of a gang the right way. First, we will detail the gangs recognized by TDCJ. Second, we explain the consequences of gang … Read more
The short answer is— yes. Your loved one can apply to transfer states upon their release with a process called “Interstate Compact for Adult Offender Supervision.” The following blog describes the Interstate Compact policy and how to apply for an interstate transfer. Interstate Compact for Adult Offender Supervision (ICAOS) A General Overview Under the Interstate … Read more
Many want to know when their loved one is eligible for parole. The answer depends on your loved one’s sentence and offense. Section 508.145 of the Texas Government Code specifies who is eligible for release on parole and when. This section starts with parole exclusions, continues with parole exceptions, and ends with the general rule … Read more
Victims have the right to be notified of your loved one’s parole eligibility and submit victim impact statements. This post explains how notification occurs and how the victims can impact the parole process. Victim Impact Statements For the initial trial and subsequent parole reviews, victims can submit an impact statement. These statements express their thoughts … Read more
The Texas Legislature created Discretionary Mandatory Supervision (DMS) to solve a problem with our mandatory supervision laws. Mandatory Supervision In 1977, the 65th Texas Legislature enacted the system of mandatory supervision. However, this system automatically released many inmates. The mandatory supervision release calculation was simple: if calendar time plus good time credit equaled the sentence … Read more
COVID-19 adds another layer of stress to the already difficult situation of helping your loved one navigate the prison system. However, you should not feel in the dark about the impact of COVID-19, and our attorneys at The Cox Law Firm are here to support you. This post describes how COVID-19 has affected the Texas … Read more
There is a unique parole review process for individuals with consecutive felony sentences. Understanding the distinctions will help you support your loved one on their journey towards freedom. At The Cox Law Firm, we have experience navigating the parole process and representing individuals with consecutive sentences. We will fight for your loved one regardless of … Read more
Was your loved one denied parole or mandatory supervision? Our attorneys at The Cox Law Firm can help. You can challenge the Parole Board’s decision through a Special Review Request. We have experience leading individuals through this process. Here is a breakdown of Special Review in Texas. Special Review Request To begin Special Review proceedings, … Read more