If you or a loved one has been arrested on a Blue Warrant, the word “hearing” can be intimidating. Most people picture a formal trial with a jury and a judge in a black robe. However, a Texas parole revocation hearing is an administrative proceeding, usually held within the walls of a county jail or a TDCJ facility.

The stakes couldn’t be higher: the outcome determines whether you stay in the community or return to prison. Here is a breakdown of what to expect and how Guest & Gray protects your rights during this process.

The Key Players in the Room

Unlike a criminal trial, there is no jury. The room will typically include:

● The Hearing Officer: An employee of the Board of Pardons and Paroles who acts as the “judge” and fact-finder.

● The Parole Officer (PO): The person bringing the allegations against you.

● The Attorney: Your advocate who cross-examines the PO and presents your defense.

● Witnesses: These can be people testifying about the alleged violation or “character witnesses” who speak to your progress on parole.

Phase 1: The Allegation Phase

In this first part of the hearing, the Hearing Officer determines if you actually violated your parole.

The standard of proof here is a preponderance of the evidence. This means the state only has to prove it is “more likely than not” (51%) that you committed the violation. This is a much lower bar than the “beyond a reasonable doubt” standard used in criminal trials. This is why having an attorney is vital—we ensure that hearsay and weak evidence are challenged immediately.

Phase 2: The Mitigation (Adjustment) Phase

If the Hearing Officer finds that a violation occurred, the hearing moves to the most important part: Mitigation.

Even if you did miss a meeting or fail a drug test, it does not mean you must go back to prison. In this phase, we tell your story. We present evidence of:

● Consistent employment and “good” time on parole prior to the slip-up.

● Strong family support and stable housing.

● Enrollment in counseling or drug treatment programs.

● Medical issues or family emergencies that may have caused a technical violation.

What are the Possible Outcomes?

The Hearing Officer does not make the final decision; they make a recommendation to a two- or three-member Board panel. The Board can choose to:

1. Continue Parole: You are released back to supervision (sometimes with added conditions like an ankle monitor).

2. Intermediate Sanction Facility (ISF): A short-term lockup (usually 60–180 days) focused on rehabilitation rather than prison.

3. SAFPF: An intensive, in-custody drug treatment program.

4. Revocation: Your parole is taken away, and you are sent back to the TDCJ to serve the remainder of your sentence.

How a Local Kaufman County Lawyer Makes the Difference

At Guest & Gray, we don’t just walk into the hearing and hope for the best. We prepare a “Mitigation Packet” for the Board that shows them you are more than just a file number. We highlight your successes and provide a concrete plan for how you will succeed if allowed to remain on parole.

We know the Hearing Officers who work in Kaufman, Rockwall, and Dallas counties. We understand what the Board is looking for and, more importantly, what they are afraid of. Our goal is to minimize their “risk” while maximizing your freedom.

Don’t Go It Alone

The Texas parole system is designed to be efficient, but it isn’t always fair. You have the right to an attorney—exercise it.

If your loved one is facing a revocation hearing, call Guest & Gray at (972) 564-4644. Let us stand between them and a prison cell.