Legal Fund for Steve Stanko

We are currently in the process of raising funds for my brother Steve Stanko's parole board hearing. Steve was sentenced in 1998 at 20 years old and has been incarcerated more than 20 years.  Steve has earned trade certificates and is in the process of earning his Associates Degree. While incarcerated he has kept steady employment and is ready for a new start.  He is eligible for parole under the  California  Assembly Bill AB 965, Mark Stone. Youth offender hearings.

Existing law requires the Board of Parole Hearings to conduct a youth offender parole hearing for offenders sentenced to state prison who committed specified crimes when they were under 25 years of age. Existing law makes a person who was convicted of a controlling offense that was committed when the person was 25 years of age or younger and for which the sentence is a determinate sentence eligible for release on parole at a youth offender hearing by the board during the person’s 15th year of incarceration. Existing law makes a person who was convicted of a controlling offense that was committed when the person was 25 years of age or younger and for which the sentence is a life term of less than 25 years to life eligible for release on parole at a youth offender hearing by the board during the person’s 20th year of incarceration. Existing law makes a person who was convicted of a controlling offense that was committed when the person was 25 years of age or younger and for which the sentence is a life term of 25 years to life eligible for release on parole at a youth offender hearing by the board during the person’s 25th year of incarceration.
This bill would require a person’s youth offender parole hearing to occur within 6 months of the first year they become eligible for a youth offender parole hearing under those provisions. The bill would also authorize the Secretary of the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to authorize those persons to obtain an earlier youth offender parole hearing by adopting regulations pursuant to specified provisions of the California Constitution.

Any support in helping Steve fund representation by an attorney would be greatly appreciated. We are looking to retain services from The Law Office of Diane T Letarte at: 1080 Park Boulevard, Suite 92101 San Diego, CA 92101.