Find out more about the post-release community supervision (PRCS) program with this article.
Sometimes individuals in California get out of prison and enter Post Release Community Supervision (PRCS). While in PRCS, individuals have to adhere to the guidelines set by the program. Violations of these regulations can lead to serious legal penalties.
Penal Code 3455 details the treatment for individuals who are accused of a PRCS violation. These individuals can end up facing a hearing in California. Learn more about PCRS with the Simmrin Law Group by calling us at (310) 997-4688.
General Information About the PRCS Program
California uses PRCS as a program to supervise felons who are released from prison. The program is handled by a country supervision agency, not the court system. Individuals can remain in the PRCS program for up to three years.
PRCS programs monitor an individual’s progress as they reintegrate into society. Individuals do not enter the PRCS program to shorten their prison time. Instead, this program is started after the individual’s release from prison.
An individual must remain in the program for at least six months. However, they are often close to release before the end of their first year. Early release is usually only available if individuals adhere to all the rules of the program for the first year.
Eligibility for the PRCS Program in California
Not everyone is eligible to enter a PRCS program after leaving prison in California. For instance, the program is not available for individuals who were convicted of:
- Serious or violent felonies
- Certain sex offenses
- Felonies that lead to life in prison
An individual convicted of a violent felony can be released on parole. Then, while on parole, that individual must obey regulations from the court system to stay out of jail.
The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) handles parole. The CDCR does not, however, regulate the PRCS programs. These programs are instead handled by the community. In other words, parole is not the same as a PRCS program in California. The Simmrin Law Group can provide answers to all your legal questions. Call us at (310) 997-4688 to learn more.
Probation and PRCS Programs in Los Angeles
The PRCS program is not the same thing as probation in California. Probation is a different program that is sometimes used instead of jail or prison time. PRCS is not a post-release program that monitors individuals after their release.
Individuals on probation have to follow different regulations set forth by the court. They also have to work with a probation officer. Not everyone who is accused of a crime in California is eligible to receive probation.
Violations of the PRCS Program in California
Individuals must obey certain regulations while in a PRCS program in California. For example, individuals could be ordered to stay in the same county or to attend certain treatment programs. Failure to adhere to these regulations can result in an arrest.
The court can hold a revocation hearing if someone is accused of violating PRCS regulations. PC 3455 deals with the regulations governing this hearing. Individuals are often kept in custody until their hearing, but not always.
A criminal defense lawyer in Los Angeles can help with a PRCS revocation hearing. Your lawyer can work to show that you did not violate your PRCS program. In some cases, the hearing may conclude that you did not violate the regulations of the program. This allows you to continue on with the PRCS program.
However, there are times when the revocation hearing officer finds that a violation occurred. In this case, there can be legal consequences. Individuals who violate a PRCS program can face:
- Jail time of up to 180 days
- Harsher conditions on their PRCS regulations
The revocation hearing officer can also send the accused to reentry court. This court offers different programs that can help felons who were released from prison in California.
Learn More About Post Release Community Supervision with the Simmrin Law Group
Convicted felons in California can enter a PRCS program after they are released from prison. While in this program, however, they must obey certain rules. The failure to obey these rules could lead to a revocation hearing. Penal Code 3455 provides information about this hearing, and the Simmrin Law Group can help you handle it. Find out how by completing our online contact form.
Our criminal defense lawyers in Los Angeles are here to help you. Just call us at (310) 997-4688 to learn more.