When Do You Need a Parole Lawyer?
In Canada, when a defendant is released early from incarceration, they may be on parole as part of their criminal punishment. The regulations that govern parole and parolees may be different in every state.
Typically, parolees are required to follow specific rules to keep their parole status, such as:
- Not getting into additional legal trouble
- Completing community service tasks
- Meeting with a parole officer on the regular basis
If an individual is accused of violating their parole restrictions, they should consult with a lawyer as soon as they can. In some situations, they may be arrested and required to return to jail and serve the remainder of their sentence.
If someone is incarcerated and wants to be granted parole, a parole attorney can help. An attorney can advise them if they qualify and to apply with the Parole Commission in their area.
In addition, if an individual has to appear before the Commission for a hearing about violating their parole, their lawyer for parole will represent them. Their lawyer will explain why their parole should not be revoked.
In most situations, when an individual violates their probation requirements, they will be required to attend a probation violation hearing. At this hearing, a judge will decide if they did, in fact, break the rules of their probation. The court will then determine what penalties they might be subject to as a result.
Because the regulations governing parole can vary significantly from one jurisdiction to another as well as based on the conviction itself, it is important to have assistance from an attorney with any parole issues.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Parole Lawyer in Canada?
How much it will cost to hire a parole lawyer will vary significantly depending on many different factors, which may include, but are not limited to:
- Location: Often, attorneys in major cities charge higher rates than attorneys who practice in rural areas or small towns.
- The complexity of the case: Complicated cases usually cost more to resolve than simple cases.
- Experience: The more experience an attorney has, the higher their fees will likely be.
- Type of firm: Larger law firms may charge more than smaller law firms or attorneys who practice solo.
- Billing method: An attorney may charge clients using different fee arrangements, for example:
- Hourly rate
- Flat fee
- Contingency fee
- Retainer fee
Criminal defense attorneys may charge anywhere from CA$200 to CA$500 or more per hour, depending on the factors listed above. Some lawyers may also require the client to pay a retainer fee.
This is an up-front payment the client makes. It serves as a deposit.
The lawyer makes hourly charges against the retainer as they work until it is used up. Once the retainer is used, they will bill by the hour.
A lawyer may also charge a flat fee, which can range from CA$1,500 to CA$10,000. If the case goes to trial, however, this fee will likely at least double.
What to Look for in a Parole Lawyer?
Finding the best parole lawyer for your needs and budget is important to make sure that you get the help you need. There are certain specific things you can look for in your lawyer, including:
- Communication: Because incarceration has such a major effect on your life, it is important to have an attorney who responds to your communications and regularly updates you on the status of your case.
- Reputation: You should seek out an attorney who has a good reputation among their peers and clients. You may be able to search for online reviews.
- Experience: Finding an attorney with experience handling parole issues is important, as they will be familiar with the laws in your specific area.
- Strategy: Your attorney should have a strategy for handling your case. You can ask about potential strategies during your initial consultation.
How to Prepare for Your Consultation With a Parole Lawyer?
If you take the time to prepare for your consultation with your parole lawyer, you can make sure you make the most of that time. This will also help ensure that your lawyer can create the best possible strategy for your case.
Important steps you can take to prepare for your consultation include:
- Gather documentation: Bring any documents you have related to your parole issue, which may include:
- Police reports
- Court documents
- Correspondence, such as emails or letters related to the incident or your charges
- Write down questions: Prior to meeting with your parole attorney, it is important to take time to write down questions or concerns you have related to your case. This may include questions about:
- The lawyer’s background and experience
- How many parole cases the lawyer has handled
- What is their success rate with similar cases
- The possible outcomes of the case
- Be honest: When you talk about your legal issue with your attorney, it is essential that you are honest and provide an accurate and detailed account of what happened. This is important even if there are embarrassing ro incriminating details.
- If you withhold information, your attorney may not be able to represent you successfully.
- It is important to note that lawyers are bound by confidentiality rules, which means they cannot share information you tell them without your permission.
- If you withhold information, your attorney may not be able to represent you successfully.
Where to Find Parole Lawyers in Canada?
LegalMatch is a convenient and no cost way to find a parole lawyer in your area. Even though you assume it may be simple to search online for, “parole lawyers near me” or “parole attorneys near me,” the results you receive in an online search will likely be uninformative and overwhelming.
You can easily find a parole attorney in your area in just a few steps who can help you by using LegalMatch:
- Submit your concern: Submit information about your parole issue in just a few minutes.
- Get matched: Attorney matches in your area will be sent to you in about 24 hours.
- Choose a lawyer: When you receive a response, you will be provided the attorneys:
- Education
- Background
- Fee arrangements
- Client reviews
You can use this information to find a top-rated parole attorney in your area, whether you are in a large city, such as Toronto, Vancouver, or Montreal, Canada, or a smaller town or rural area, with no obligation to hire anyone who responds to your submission.
