Q: A guy I know must serve a minimum sentence of 15 years, and yet he isn't eligible for parole for 35 years...
Does that mean the earliest he can get out is in 35 years?
A: Yes, based on the numbers you listed. A minimum sentence means that he must serve at least 15 years before release. Since he is not parole eligible for 35 years, he will have already served the minimum amount of 15 years. Think of it as "must serve at least 15 years. . ." Parole eligibility is usually one half of the bottom number on a prison sentence. So for example, if a person is sentenced to 10 to 20 years, he would be parole eligible in 5 years.
Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.
The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.
Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.
