Appearing before the Army Clemency and Parole Board in Washington DC can be a stressful event. By the time of the hearing, families are often mentally, emotionally, and financially drained by the court-martial process and consequences. Having a lawyer at the Clemency and Parole Board is usually a luxury.
When that day finally comes, you will find the Board is genuinely interested in learning more about your loved one. This blog provides some insights on presenting your best case at the hearing.
The Army Regulation the Boards members adhere to is AR 15-130. Paragraph 3-2 is important to review. It provides a list of considerations for the board. As a lawyer, we're going to be careful to provide information relevant to those considerations.
The morning of the hearing, staff from the board provide a presentation that includes information to focus on. They place emphasis for family members on the parole plan - employment, residence, transportation, and treatment.
I have found that Board member questions tend to focus on three areas of questions:
- Parole plan;
- Attitude / motivation / remorse;
- Aggravating Aspects of the Offense.
The Board may be interested in specific conversations you've had about the member's remorse and attitude. They may look for assurances that the member will be a productive part of society. We generally organize our remarks around paragraph 3-2.
The Board is located at 251 18th Street South, Suite 385 Arlington, VA 22202-3531. This is the Crystal City area of Washington DC, just down the street from Reagan National Airport (DCA). It's easiest to fly into DCA. The metro station is at the airport. Countless hotels are in Crystal City. It's located one subway stop from the airport. Simply take the train towards the Greenbelt and get off one stop away at Crystal City. Baltimore and Dulles airport can be used also.
Check-in is usually between 8:15 - 8:30 am. The Board will provide a phone number. The building is across the street from the Crystal City Metro station. The Wells Fargo lobby helps to find it. The check-in is in the lobby.
After you check in, you will be escorted up to a 4th Floor conference room. Their staff will brief you. The hearing will last around 20 minutes. You should be done before noon depending on how many families are present.
We appear regularly before the board and can do so cost-efficiently for families. Feel free to contact us for more info.
