Court of Appeals says there's no constitutional right to parole in Mich.

DETROIT (AP) -- An appeals court says Michigan prisoners have no federal constitutional right to parole under state law. The decision is significant because it's a published opinion that sets precedent. A three-judge panel at the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in favor of the state Tuesday but said Lucius Crump's argument was "substantial." Crump was convicted of sex and drug crimes. He was denied parole in 2008 after the Michigan parole board interviewed him. Before the denial, he was classified as having a "high probability" of release. In a 2-1 decision, the appeals court says a probability is not a certainty. The court says parole is not an entitlement in Michigan and doesn't trigger constitutional protections. The decision was written by Robert Cleland, a visiting federal judge from Detroit. Published: Thu, Sep 22, 2011