If you’ve been following the saga of Erik and Lyle Menendez, you know the timeline has been a complete mess lately. Between wildfires in Los Angeles, political shifts in the DA's office, and a series of high-stakes court dates in 2025, it’s hard to keep track of where things actually stand. Honestly, if you're asking when is the menendez brothers hearing, the answer depends entirely on which legal "pathway" we're talking about—because they aren't just waiting for one date. They’re waiting for a final decision that could change everything.
Here is the current reality as of January 2026.
The Resentencing Shift: Why the Big Hearing Already Happened
You might have missed it, but a massive turning point happened in May 2025. After months of delays (seriously, the January 2025 hearing was pushed back because of the LA wildfires), Judge Michael Jesic finally sat down for the resentencing hearing.
On May 13, 2025, the judge officially resentenced the brothers to 50 years to life.
Because they were both under the age of 26 when the crimes occurred back in 1989, California’s "youthful offender" laws kicked in. This changed their status from "life without parole" to "eligible for parole."
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So, if you’re looking for a "resentencing hearing" date in 2026, you’re actually looking backward. That hurdle is cleared. The question now isn't if they can get a hearing, but when the Parole Board and Governor Gavin Newsom will finish the job.
The 2026 Parole Timeline
Right now, the focus has shifted to the California Board of Parole Hearings. Following the May resentencing, a risk assessment process began.
- June 2025: Initial risk assessments were conducted by forensic psychologists.
- Late 2025: The brothers have been navigating the bureaucratic labyrinth of the parole system.
- Current Status: We are currently in the "review period" where the parole board’s recommendation sits on the Governor’s desk or is being finalized for a 2026 public session.
When Is the Menendez Brothers Hearing for Parole?
There isn't a single "Master Date" on the calendar yet for a 2026 release, but the legal community is eyeing the spring. Usually, once the parole board makes a recommendation, the Governor has 120 days to review it.
Governor Newsom has been notably cautious. He actually deferred his clemency decision back in late 2024 to let the new DA, Nathan Hochman, review the files. Hochman hasn't been the "easy pass" some hoped for. He’s gone on record saying the brothers haven't "fully come clean" about the killings of Jose and Kitty Menendez.
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The "New Evidence" Wildcard
Don’t forget the habeas corpus petition. While the resentencing moved them toward parole, their lawyer, Mark Geragos, is still pushing to have the original 1996 convictions vacated entirely.
If a new hearing is granted based on the Roy Rossello (former Menudo member) allegations or the 1988 letter Erik wrote to his cousin, we could see a return to court in mid-2026. However, Judge Jesic rejected a request for a flat-out new trial in September 2025. This means the brothers’ best bet remains the parole board, not a new jury.
What Most People Get Wrong About the 2026 Status
People keep thinking a "hearing" means they walk out the door that afternoon. It doesn't work like that.
Even if the parole board says "yes" today, the process is grueling. They have to prove they aren't a threat to society. The prosecution, led by Habib Balian, is still fighting this. They argue that the brothers’ rehabilitation—while impressive (Erik’s hospice work and Lyle’s beautification projects)—doesn't erase the "vicious" nature of the 1989 shotgun murders.
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"My crime was not just criminal. It was wrong. It was immoral," Erik said during his 2025 virtual appearance.
That admission was a huge deal. For decades, the narrative was about self-defense vs. greed. Now, the legal battle is about whether 35 years is "enough" for a crime committed by two traumatized young men.
What Happens Next?
If you are tracking when is the menendez brothers hearing, here is how you should watch the news in the coming months:
- Monitor the California Board of Parole Hearings (BPH) Calendar: This is where the next "live" date will pop up.
- Watch for a Governor’s Press Release: Newsom is in a tough spot. It's an election cycle, and the Menendez case is a lightning rod. He could grant clemency tomorrow, or he could let the parole process play out until the end of 2026.
- Check for Appellate Rulings: Geragos is likely to appeal the denied request for a new trial.
Basically, the "big" courtroom drama is mostly over. We are now in the "paperwork and politics" phase of the Menendez brothers' fight for freedom. It’s less about a judge and more about whether the state of California believes these men are truly rehabilitated.
Keep an eye on the BPH monthly meeting agendas for the names "Erik Galen Menendez" and "Joseph Lyle Menendez." That is where the final chapter will be written.
Next Steps for You: To stay updated on the specific calendar day for the next parole appearance, you can search the California Department of Corrections (CDCR) inmate locator using their CDC numbers (Erik: V32230, Lyle: V32223) to see their current status and any upcoming board actions.