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What Probation Conditions Must I Meet If I Get a Probation Sentence?
If you’re convicted of a crime, the court can impose various punishments, including fines and incarceration. However, a judge can sometimes sentence you to probation instead of prison term and fines. Being sent on probation means that the court lets you serve your sentence while remaining in the community under strict rules that you must obey.
Criminal defense attorneys in Braunfels explain that probation conditions are designed to punish you while protecting the community as you serve your sentence outside jail or prison. Courts have a lot of discretion when imposing the conditions and can impose them as long as they are reasonably related to the crime. Some of the conditions are:
- Reporting to the probation officer periodically
- Payment of restitution to the victim
- Community service
- Random drug testing
- Maintain employment for the entire probation term
- Not being involved in crime
- Not owning a firearm
If you need clarification on your probation terms, it’s crucial to consult with skilled probation violation lawyers in Braunfels. They can help you understand the terms to ensure you’re not violating them to avoid the stiff penalties that can follow.
What Are The Most Common Probation Violations?
Probation violations occur when probationers fail to meet one or more of these conditions. Some of the most common probation violations in Texas are:
- Not completing the court-ordered community service
- Not attending meetings with the probation officer
- Getting arrested for another crime while on probation
- Being convicted of another crime
- Failing mandatory drug tests
- Quitting a job without cause
- Leaving the state or country without approval from the probation officer
If you’re accused of violating your probation terms, don’t hesitate to consult Braunfels probation violation attorneys. They can evaluate your case and discuss options to defend you from severe consequences.
What are the Potential Legal Consequences of Probation Violation?
The consequences of a probation violation largely depend on several factors. For example, if it’s a minor or first-time slip, your probation officer might dismiss it with a warning, especially if you have a positive probationer-officer relationship. Being arrested and charged with a felony unrelated to the original charge is entirely different, and the consequences can be severe.
Depending on the severity of the violation, your probation officer could report it to the court. No two probation violations are the same, and you should not be casual about it as you never know what you might be facing for violating the terms. Probation violation lawyers in Braunfels say that you risk the following penalties, which could dramatically affect your criminal record:
Probation Extension
After evaluating the type of probation violation, your past record, and the stated reason for the violation, the judge may decide to extend the term of your probation. The length will depend on the nature of the violation, but the judge has the discretion to decide how much longer you should be on probation.
Probation Expansion
In addition to extending your probation period, the judge can expand the term of your community supervision. The terms could be generalized, for example, an increase in fines and community service. They could also be specific to the type of violation you committed.
For example, if you violated the probation terms by traveling outside your jurisdiction without permission, the court could impose tighter travel restrictions, make you wear a GPS tracker, or require you to abide by a curfew.
Revocation of the Probation or Jail Time
Probation is a substitute for imprisonment, but if you violate the terms, the judge can force you to serve a limited number of jail days consecutively or intermittently. The judge can also force you to serve the remainder of your probation term behind bars, depending on the degree of the crime you committed.
Additional Conditions
The judge can decide to amend the list of probation conditions, such as increasing your community service hours or imposing more fines.
They may also order you to attend twice as many addiction recovery meetings or report more frequently to your probation officer.
What Are My Rights at the Probation Violation Hearing?
Your rights at the probation revocation hearing are the same as at any court appearance. You have a right to a notice of the charges that entail the alleged violations. You also have the right to representation by an attorney, to present evidence, and to call witnesses to support your case.
It’s crucial to involve skilled Braunfels probation violation lawyers who specialize in assisting probationers facing charges for probation violations. They can help you build a strong defense strategy to help you avoid the consequences of disobedience, which could adversely affect your criminal record.
What Are the Possible Defenses for Probation Violation?
Experienced probation violation lawyers in Braunfels know various strategies to protect probation offenders. They can evaluate your case and advise on the most suitable defense:
- False accusation: If you have proof that you didn’t violate your probation terms, you can use it to beat the charges.
- Plea bargaining: You can agree with the state on how to modify, continue, or terminate the probation. Your lawyers can help you weigh the options.
- Open plea: You neither contest the violation nor reach an agreement with the state but let the judge decide whether to continue, modify, or terminate the probation agreement.
A Skilled Probation Violation Attorney Defending You Against Probation Revocation
If you’ve been convicted of a crime in Texas, the penalties range from jail sentences and fines to probation, which is an excellent alternative to serving time in jail. The sentence comes with conditions you should follow, failure to which you risk additional or heftier penalties. You also risk losing certain freedoms.
Hiring skilled criminal defense lawyers in Braunfels is the best strategy when facing the possible consequences of violating your probation terms. The legal team at The Seymour & Vaughn is dedicated to fighting for your future and freedom. Call us at 830-282-8751 to schedule a FREE case consultation.
