The Road Home Law, A Professional Corporation

03/18/2025

‼️📢 DO YOU KNOW SOMEONE CURRENTLY ON PAROLE IN CA FOR A PC 290 CASE? IF SO, PLEASE READ THIS ANNOUNCEMENT ‼️📢

03/13/2025

03/13/2025 ⚡️** UPDATE ON ERIK AND LYLE MENENDEZ CASE – GOVERNOR COMMUTATION PETITION **⚡️

On February 21, 2025, Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman announced his office opposed Erik and Lyle Menendez’s resentencing petition, urging the Los Angeles County Superior Court to deny it.

However, on March 12, 2025, Governor Gavin Newsom publicly stated he referred the Menendez brothers’ commutation petition to the Board of Parole Hearings (BPH) for investigation and recommendation on whether their commutation petition should be granted. (See, Cal. Pen. Code § 4802.5). If Governor Newsom grants their commutation petition, their life-without-the-possibility-of-parole (LWOP) sentences will be reduced to life with the possibility of parole, making them eligible for BPH parole suitability hearings.

News reports indicate Governor Newsom's referral will lead to a hearing before the Board in June. That is not entirely correct. This referral does not guarantee a parole hearing for the Menendez brothers; rather, it initiates an investigation into their case and the Board’s recommendation on commutation.

As part of this referral, the Board’s Forensic Assessment Division (FAD) will conduct Comprehensive Risk Assessments for Erik and Lyle Menendez. Then, during the Board’s Executive Meeting scheduled for June 17 and 18, 2025, public comments will be taken. At the conclusion of the meeting, the Board’s 21 Commissioners will vote on whether to recommend commutation. Once the recommendation is made, either for or against commutation, Governor Newsom has sole discretion to adopt BPH’s recommendation or make a different decision. Ultimately the decision is his.

🌟PLEASE NOTE: The Governor’s referral solely addresses the question of whether the Menendez brothers’ commutation petition should be granted. It does not directly affect anyone serving an LWOP or life sentence. But I believe the Governor’s referral contributes to the tide of change in policy we’ve seen since former Governor Jerry Brown took office. We will keep you posted.💪

03/07/2025

03/07/2025 ⚠️ **LA COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY NATHAN HOCHMAN RESUMES ATTENDANCE AND OPPOSITION AT BPH PAROLE HEARINGS** ⚠️

Days after he was elected District Attorney of Los Angeles County, Nathan Hochman announced he would reverse the policy directives of his predecessor, George Gascón. This included Gascón’s policy of not attending BPH parole suitability hearings or opposing a prisoner’s release.

Now, more than four years later, I am saddened to report Hochman fulfilled his promise. This week I represented a client at his initial BPH hearing. His crime occurred in Los Angeles County. My client did not receive a “high” risk rating on his Comprehensive Risk Assessment (“CRA”). But the District Attorney’s office had a Deputy DA at the hearing, who actively opposed my client’s release.

We continue to support Gascón’s reasoning behind his original directive, which you can read below:

“This Office recognizes that parole is an effective process to reduce recidivism, ensure public safety, and assist people in successfully rejoining society. The CDCR’s own statistics show that people paroled from life terms have a recidivism rate of less than four percent. We are not experts on rehabilitation. While we have information about the crime of conviction, the Board of Parole Hearings already has this information. Further, as the crime of conviction is of limited value in considering parole suitability years or decades later, (see In re Lawrence (2008) 44 Cal.4th 1181; In re Shaputis (2008) 44 Cal. 4th 1241, 1255), the value of a prosecutor’s input in parole hearings is also limited. Finally, pursuant to Penal Code section 3041, there is a presumption that people shall be released on parole upon reaching the Minimum Eligible Parole Date (MEPD), their Youth Parole Eligible Date, (YEPD), or their Elderly Parole Date (EPD). Currently, sentences are being served that are much longer than the already lengthy mandatory minimum sentences imposed. Such sentences are constitutionally excessive. (See In re Palmer (2019) 33 Cal.App.5th 1199.)” (Citing, SPECIAL DIRECTIVE 20-14, dated Dec. 7, 2020, authored by former Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón.)

03/06/2025

03/06/2025 💥 UPDATE ON SENATE BILL 672 (“SB 672”) THE YOUTH REHABILITATION AND OPPORTUNITY ACT 💥

On February 21, 2025, the state took a monumental step forward as SB 672, the Youth Rehabilitation and Opportunity Act, was introduced into the Senate Rules Committee! This marks a groundbreaking moment that many of us have eagerly awaited since 2014, when the Youth Offender Parole law (Penal Code § 3051) was enacted into law.

For too long, individuals with life-without-the-possibility-of-parole (LWOP) sentences who committed their crimes after turning 18 were excluded from the opportunity for rehabilitation and eventual release from prison. But now, SB 672 aims to CHANGE THAT! If passed, this bill will amend Penal Code section 3051 to allow those with LWOP sentences who committed their primary offense between the age of 18 and 26 to appear before the California Board of Parole Hearings (BPH) for Youth Offender parole hearings.

Imagine this: After serving just 25 years of their incarceration — including time spent in county jail before entering CDCR — these individuals will be eligible for a chance at freedom – something that previously was unimaginable! 🌈

As of yesterday, March 5, 2025, SB 672 was referred to the Senate Public Safety Committee, where the real work on this bill will take place.

This is a historic opportunity for those facing LWOP sentences, and we’re dedicated to tracking SB 672 every step of the way. Stay tuned for more updates, and don’t hesitate to reach out through our website for more information! www.theroadhomelaw.com

03/05/2025

🎉 PROJECT REBOUND BPH PILOT WORKSHOP: A RESOUNDING SUCCESS! THANK YOU, EVERYONE! 🎉

On Saturday, February 22, 2025, the atmosphere at Valley State Prison was electric as we kicked off the very first Project Rebound Legal Workshop, What You Need to Know for Your BPH Hearing! We are immensely grateful to the phenomenal Dr. Jacqueline Mimms, Director of the Project Rebound Outreach Program (CSU PROP) at California State University, Fresno. Her unwavering support and inspiration were the driving forces behind this transformative event. Dr. Mimms recognized the urgent need for essential information on the BPH parole hearing process for VSP prisoners, and together, we made it happen!

A huge shoutout to all the amazing men who attended! Their enthusiasm and engagement turned the workshop into a powerful experience. We truly cherish the connections we made and the meaningful conversations we shared on a topic that resonates deeply with all of us. It was nothing short of inspiring!
We’re thrilled to announce that we’re in discussions with Dr. Mimms and Project Rebound to launch an ongoing series of one-day workshops, kicking off with Project Rebound’s next cycle at VSP. 🚀

But that's not all! We’re also gearing up to host a Zoom Webinar for family members and friends who have an incarcerated loved one. Stay tuned for all the details—invites will go out well before the webinar date, which is still to be determined.
In the meantime, we invite you to reach out to us at www.theroadhomelaw.com or connect with me on my page (Susan L. Jordan) for more information. Let’s keep the momentum going! 🌟

10/23/2024

We specialize in thoroughly preparing clients for and representing them at live parole suitability hearings before the California Board of Parole Hearings (the Board or BPH). With our combined multi-decade expertise, we apply an intensive and comprehensive method that gives clients the best chance of success. Our approach incorporates the Board’s Structured Decision Making Framework (SDMF). During every BPH proceeding, we passionately advocate for our clients' fundamental rights and strive to uphold fairness and equity in the hearing process.

These services are available to clients who meet at least one of the following criteria: individuals serving at least one life sentence with the possibility of parole, those serving a life sentence for a nonviolent offense, individuals eligible for Elderly Parole Hearings or Youth Offender Parole Hearings, and those scheduled for a rescission hearing or parole reconsideration hearing.

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