Ask a Lawyer - Archive
   
Can My Sentence Include Lifetime Parole?
Jeralyn Merritt

Q. 

Can a person be on parole for life?

-- Anonymous

A. 

Yes, lifetime parole can be imposed for specific state and federal crimes. It is applied most often to sex offenders, but can also be a consequence for certain drug and violent offenses.

The Supreme Court has held that since parole is punitive in nature, and a part of the maximum possible punishment that can be imposed, an individual who pleads guilty must be advised at the time he or she pleads that lifetime parole is a possible consequence of the plea.

Lifetime parole supervision can be quite onerous. It may entail regular reporting to a parole officer, restrictions on where you can live and work and on your choices of friends and leisure activities. You may have to first obtain permission from your parole officer before accepting employment or engaging in any business activity.

You may be required to submit to medical or psychiatric treatment or to take drug or alcohol tests, or even a lie detector examination.

If you fail to comply with the conditions of lifetime parole, you can be returned to prison.

Especially for young offenders with most of their life ahead of them, lifetime parole supervision is a very serious consequence of a criminal conviction. If you are charged with a crime that includes the possibility of lifetime parole supervision, I strongly urge you to discuss this with your counsel and find out in advance what specific restrictions would be placed on you. He or she can also advise you as to the likelihood of negotiating a plea bargain with the prosecutor, whereby you plead guilty to a lesser offense that does not include lifetime parole as a possible penalty.



-- Jeralyn Merritt

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