
Website of the Georgia Board of Pardons & Paroles .... I cannot find word one about pardons ... except that the Board is responsible for them:
The State Board of Pardons and Paroles is a part of the executive branch of Georgia's government, authorized to grant paroles, pardons, reprieves, remissions, commutations, and to restore civil and political rights.
I've also searched the Georgia code - the state website is basically useless: it gives you snippets of the code with no links, so you can't see contextually where the dickens you are. But there appears to be no statuatory qualifications, etc for pardons.
Kathy, is there a way for people to contact the Board?
Mailing Address:
State Board of Pardons and Paroles 2 Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive, SE Suite 458, Balcony Level, East Tower Atlanta, Georgia 30334-4909
Telephone: (404) 656-5651
(Several different email addresses are also listed)
Thanks, Mike. I'm under the weather with a cold. :-/
Kathy Gill, I didn't have time to go through the entire site but in a short period, using links and FAQ's, etc. I found practically anything one would want to know about the Georgia Parole system. I also found a way to ask other questions. If you are looking for the Georgia Code on its parole system I would suggest looking at the code. I will grant you that Georgia, like many governments or jurisdictions, may not make its laws readily available on line. That is a political problem that needs solved by the citizens.
Agreed. Anything and everything about PAROLE.
Nada about PARDON.
With Genarlow Wilson the proper action on the part of the governor is pardon, IMO.
I think you can find your answer here: Emory Law Review
(3) The General Assembly may by general law approved by two-thirds of the members elected to each branch of the General Assembly in a roll-call vote provide for the imposition of sentences of life without parole for persons convicted of murder and for persons who having been previously convicted of murder, armed robbery, kidnapping, rape, aggravated child molestation, aggravated sodomy, or aggravated sexual battery or having been previously convicted under the laws of any other state or of the United States of a crime which if committed in this state would be one of those offenses and who after such previous conviction subsequently commits and is convicted of one of those offenses and, when so provided by such Act, the board shall not have the authority to consider such persons for pardon, parole, or commutation from any portion of such sentence.
O.K...so he was convicted of aggravated child molestation, which carries a mandatory sentence, but he is a first time offender. This little bit says, if I am reading it right, that if he had not been a first time offender, he could not be given a pardon, but seeing as he is a first time offender, he should still be eligible. Is that right?
The relevant part is, 2, I think, not 3 -- I read it as he is not eligible for pardon, assuming his 10-year sentence was passed by a two-thirds vote:
(2) The General Assembly may by general law approved by two-thirds of the members elected to each branch of the General Assembly in a roll-call vote provide for minimum mandatory sentences and for sentences which are required to be served in their entirety for persons convicted of armed robbery, kidnapping, rape, aggravated child molestation, aggravated sodomy, or aggravated sexual battery and, when so provided by such Act, the board shall not have the authority to consider such persons for pardon, parole, or commutation during that portion of the sentence.
How in the world do you get the Supreme Court to review a case like this? This is INSANE.
The law of unintended consequences write large.
:-/
And I bet you wouldn't get unanimous vote of this legislature if that were the only thing that would pardon him. Yes, I'm cynical about my home state.
Thanks Kathy, Mike, Celestina and oldfogey. What are our options in terms of doing something that will make a difference for Genarlow besides raising awareness?
I wonder if he has Internet access. I'll check the main website and/or write his representative.
vas, everybody,
The wilsonpetition website just has the lawyer as a contact.
I'm thinking of sending her an email alerting her to the Newsvine website,
asking what are the latest developments and what we can do to help...
Comments? Would somebody more articulate than I care to write the email?
Does this seem like a rational course of action?
Yes, I think that does sound like a reasonable course of action. I can write the email, if you prefer, but I think you would do just fine. Why don't you write something, and then post it up here and we can make suggestions before you send it?
How about something like:
Ms. B. J. Bernstein,
The Bernstein Firm, P.C.;
I am with a group of concerned individuals who are very interested in helping in any way we can with the Genarlow Wilson situation. We have compiled a number of articles at wilsonpetition.newsvine.com to raise awareness and frequent the wilsonappeal.com website.
Many of us are interested in being more active in our efforts to assist you in this matter, above and beyond signing the petition at the wilsonappeal.com website. The latest update on that website, dated December 18, 2006 mentions a new lawsuit. The website also mentions contacting District Attorney David McDade and other politicians of the state of Georgia. What role does Mr. McDade play in gaining justice for Genarlow Wilson? Could there be a legislative solution and which politicians would be most instrumental if such a course is an option?
I know you are probably very busy but a short note addressing your current efforts, along with further possibilities, and what we might do to help would be very much appreciated.
On behalf of the Justice for Genarlow Wilson group at Newsvine.com I thank you for your time and look forward to your response.
Sincerely,
Michael Rhys
(Comments/advice most welcome!)
Actually, I've already written the lawyer. I asked if Genarlow is allowed access to the Internet from prison (so he can visit our site and perhaps converse with us directly, or write his own column), or at least access to email. The answer appears to be no. The lawyer said she/he may post something on Newsvine. I asked whether I could correspond with Genarlow directly, via regular mail... haven't heard back yet.
Mike, I think your letter is great. Unless anyone has any suggested additions or changes, I say do send it. Other than the intro to our site (I think you should include a link to wilsonpetition.newsvine.com), my letter and yours had different purposes, so aren't redundant.
Mike,
I think your letter is beautifully articulate. I say, send it.
Ditto on the 'send the letter' meme!
The lawyer said she/he may post something on Newsvine.
i'm thinking since vas has already contacted her, they know we're here, might contribute/comment, will probably contact vas again, i should sit tight and wait and if she isn't in contact with vas within a week or two vas might want to contact her since she is already familiar with who he is and we don't want to have multiple contacts with her or be annoying
Except Vas said his letter had different intent/purpose.
Yea, Mike. Go ahead and send. This isn't the time to hold back. I haven't heard back yet on my last email. Show them that we care!
RE: Genarlow Wilson/Newsvine
it will be coming in 2-7 days
very tricky
bear with me a few more days.....maneuvering behind the scenes right now and it has to work
thank you so much for your support and persistance!
it is truly appreciated
there will be a call for help and needed action
will let you know
please make sure you signed petition so that you will receive email blast update!!
thank you! Thank you!
bj
obviously a very quick response jotted down very early this morning minutes after receiving my email; but very appreciated.
is there anyone out there that can help me with a sentence commutation?i've been on parole for five years with no violations and i feel now like i'm simply being harassed!
I am trying to find out what procedure I need to take in helping someone get paroled. Are any type of forms needed to be retrieved? How can I assist in helping?
IANAL, but the procedure is different in every state.
Can anyone provide me with accurate information on paroling someone. Does the family member or friend assist when an inmate is about to come up for parole.
My son was convicted of DUI/vehicular homicide in 1997. After serving 14 months he was paroled. Since that time he has finished his degrees, and youth pastored 2 churches. While now living in Arizona (the conviction is from Georgia), he has left the ministry and has obtained a Real Estate License. The felony is beginning to haunt his working opportunities.
My question - he cannot be "expunged" - how do we go for a pardon. Write Sonny Purdue or the Board of Pardon and Paroles?
brother has been in states custody since December 2006---county since august 2006 got a 3 year sentence on first time drug charge parole board says they usually review cases in 6 to 8 months but when i call parole board they say they have yet to receive file on him Is there anything the family or he could do to have a parole hearing---- he should had already had one
can anyone tell me if the parole board calls the father of an inmate and they ask him if the two of them get along and the father tells them NO will this cause any problems for the release of an inmate. My children's father has been in the Ga system since May 23, 2007, he received a 6 year sentence on violation of probation stemming from a drug possesion charge and failure to report. The parole board has called his father and his boss to see if he has employment when he returns home. His father gave bad reference and the boss said only good things. Will he be affected and how long after the parole board calls should he be released.
No idea. Has he talked to his lawyer?
My parole was scheduled to terminate on August 8,2008. However, on June 23 I tested positive for cocaine. I was sentenced to ten years and in November 2003 T was paroled. I have admitted to relapsing. I, also informed my parole officer that I had voluntarily entered into an outpatient drug treatment program because I was experiencing severe cravings for crack cocaine. This information has been verified by the parole officer. My question is that if I am violated could I be imprisoned for more than my ten year sentence and/or can the time I've already served on parole be forfeited.
hi, ruben:
i am not a lawyer. my advise is to ask your parole officer or attorney.
To: Kathy Gill I am trying to find a way to help out a Inmate Kindra Mathis GDC 1176187 and I'll try to make this as short as I can. She went to trial because a shooter said that Kindra knew about the robbery and that she new about a gun he had, it was her word against his the shooter who shot and killed her boy friend she was assign an SSN Attorney to defend her during the trial it was a miss trial so the DA told her if she did not take plea bargain they will seek another trail and if convicted they will seek the a life sentences, so her court appointed attorney told her she should take the deal and she did and by doing so gave her rights away for an appeal so this is what I am asking how does one request a parole petition? On her plea bargain at the age of 19 she was charge with aggravated assault 11 years and four years knowing of the gun so now that would make her max release 02/2018 and received a tentative parole month of 08/2016 she has been in jail for almost seven years. She has never been in trouble with the law and because she did not have a criminal lawyer, is there any way she could get parole hearing on this case?
In Georgia due to recent laws, a person convicted of a violent crime is generally not eligible for parole until they have served 90% of their sentence.
i know this girl you are talking about. what jail is she in. i heard about this when it happened. she used to date guy i know. please let me know how to get in touch with her.
my son lives in middle georgia and iam trying help him get his rights back. iam not to educated so please explain it in plane words. as of how i can help him . and what we have to do thanks frank
Upon completion of parole and probation, your right to vote, run for office, and serve on a jury are automatically restored. All that is required is that you re-register to vote in your county. The right to own a firearm is not automatic, but can be accomplished by going to your local parole office and speaking to a parole investigator who can fill you in on the procedure.
Georgia Parole Officer
Hello,
Need some help with my boyfriend. he is in jail now and has been in almost 90 days. Its a parole violation for drug charges of meth. He has not had a hearing yet. the parole officer will not schedule. Parole officer is wishy washy about letting him out. I was wondering if there was a time limit for his hearing or are we just waiting for the state to respond? I know he has had other violations previously so the parole officer wants to revoke him. From what I have read the parole officers can do what they want in revoking or not. He wants another chance and is willing to go to a rehab. They say they will not consider it because he has been through other treatment centers. His parole is almost over with. Please recomend on what to do next. Thanks
I am hoping that someone can give me some suggestions or information. My son is currently in Phillips Transitional Center in Buford,Ga. He's been there since February of this year. He currently is working and his counselor has been helping him with finding a place to live so he can walk to work, as he cannot drive. Also a factor is that he had a statutory rape charge and some other charges against him that he has pleaded nolo to. Here's my question: If, in order for someone with the sex charge against him, has to have the sheriffs department check out the location of the residence, and in order to have the Parole Board give him Parole, he has to have a phone line, for a ankle monitor, and a lease in order to have a phone number. Okay after all that, the parole board denies him? Does anyone know what I can do to help him out, or talk to someone who can help me help him? My son has been in prison since 1998. He turned 30 this year. I am very anxious, and he is devestated. It's almost like they are playing with him. Thank you in advance.
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