Is it true inmates with 85% sentences will get 65%?

Attorney answers (2)

1. Licensed in CA

   

   Robert Marshall

   Chico Criminal Defense Attorney

   Contributor Level 20

   1

   Helpful vote

   Answered August 09, 2010 19:12. Inmates sent to state prison for one of the violent felonies listed in Penal Code 667.5(c) have to serve 85% of their sentences before becoming eligible for parole. This is a California state law and prison counselors do not have authority to overrule it.
   
   Sometimes prison counselors will find that the court made a mistake in sentencing. For instance, they may think an offense qualifies as a violent felony when it does not.
   
   However, there is no way to make a violent felon eligible for parole afte serving 65% of their time.

   • Robert L. Marshall, Chico, California criminal defense attorney

   • Mark as helpful
   • Flag
2. Licensed in CA

   

   Judith Fouladi

   Indio Litigation Lawyer

   Contributor Level 14

   1

   Helpful vote

   Answered August 09, 2010 20:49. If he's serving time for an offense categorized as a serious/violent felony within the meaning of applicable Penal Code provisions that govern sentencing, he will not get a reduction - since the 85% is required by state law.

   • www.bmkalaw.com

   • Mark as helpful
   • 1 comment
   • Flag