Richmond Probation Violation Lawyer

Richmond Probation Violation Attorney

A criminal conviction in Richmond, TX can lead to penalties such as fines and jail time, which vary depending on the offense and its severity. In some situations, the judge will assign an alternative sentence to jail time. This is especially likely in non-violent cases involving a first-time offender or cases where imprisonment is not required by Texas law. A judge may assign probation as an alternate sentence. The convicted person remains out of jail by following certain conditions, such as therapy session attendance, community service, and enforced sobriety.

If you are sentenced to probation, it’s important to understand your responsibilities and rights during that period of time. Violating the conditions of your probation can result in criminal penalties, which can potentially be worse than the ones you avoided with probation. If you are facing probation violation charges in Richmond, it’s beneficial to your case and your future to work with a probation violation criminal defense attorney.

The Law Office of Joseph Ruiz, PLLC: Your Richmond Probation Violation Attorney

We at the Law Office of Joseph Ruiz, PLLC, want to defend you. We can help you minimize the consequences of a probation violation. Our team has extensive experience contesting and negotiating with prosecutors in cases like this. We can use our experience to determine whether it’s in your interests to fight the charges in court or work on a plea bargain. Sometimes, a violation is outside your control.

A probation violation can have a more significant effect on your life than many people realize. Be sure to protect yourself and your future by working with a qualified attorney as soon as possible. Let us help you navigate the legal proceedings for a probation violation.

How Can Someone Violate Probation?

People can violate their probation in several ways, both intentionally and by accident. This includes:

• Missing a Meeting With a Probation Officer
  This may occur because you don’t understand your probation requirements, forget the meeting, or for another reason. Unfortunately, even missing a meeting accidentally can have significant consequences, including the revocation of parole and even jail time. An attorney can help defend you against more severe consequences.
• Failing to Complete Other Forms of Alternative Sentencing
  Probation may include community service or mandatory therapy appointments. If you don’t complete service hours or attend sessions, it is a probation violation. There are several reasons inside and outside a person’s control why they may have missed service or appointments. However, missing several of these obligations is more serious. In either case, an attorney is essential to arguing your case.
• Failing a Drug Test
  In many cases, such as DWI convictions, probation includes abstaining from drugs and alcohol. If that is a condition of your probation, you are required to take drug tests. If there is a positive drug test, this can also result in probation revocation and criminal charges. Sometimes, these tests may show a false positive or otherwise be unreliable.
• Leaving the Jurisdiction
  If probation requires you to remain in the court’s jurisdiction, then you can’t leave without first gaining permission. There are many reasons why a person may accidentally violate this probation condition, but doing so can have serious consequences.
• Committing Crimes
  Committing new crimes during probation is a serious violation. The crime may be related to the offense you are on probation for, or it may be entirely unrelated. New criminal charges will result in the revocation of your probation. It’s essential that you work with a probation violation attorney to find your ideal defense strategy and protect your rights.

It’s important to remain in contact with your probation officer and work to fix honest mistakes that violate your probation. If you fail to report a violation or commit a violation intentionally, your probation officer will report that. If your probation is revoked, you must serve the remainder of your original criminal sentence.

Can a Richmond Probation Violation Attorney Help Me?

If you are faced with a Motion to Revoke Probation after being accused of a probation violation, you need to contact your attorney. They can help lessen the consequences of a probation violation. They may do this by:

• Proving you didn’t commit the violation
• Showing that the violation was unintentional
• Demonstrating that the violation was unavoidable or outside your control

The penalties you face will also depend on the severity of the offense. An attorney may be able to advocate for a warning rather than serving full jail time.

FAQs

Q: How Much Jail Time Do You Get for a Probation Violation in Texas?

A: The penalties for violating probation will depend on:

• The severity of the violation
• Your criminal history
• The initial sentence that you were serving probation for

In some cases, your attorney can prove to the judge that the violation was accidental or an emergency situation, and the judge may allow continued probation with a warning or additional probation conditions. The judge may also decide that the violation was intentional and severe, such as committing a crime, and revoke probation. You could serve up to the maximum sentence for the original conviction.

Q: What Is the Most Common Violation of Probation?

A: Frequently, those on probation fail to meet with or report to their probation officer. This may happen for intentional or unintentional reasons, but it can result in serious consequences. Probation violations may also include:

• Positive drug tests
• Failing to complete essential conditions of probation, like community service or counseling sessions
• Committing a new crime

Violating probation can result in the revocation of probation and jail time.

Q: What Happens If I Violate My Probation in Texas?

A: The consequences of a probation violation depend on the offense. You may have your probation revoked and be required to serve the original sentence for the conviction you were serving probation for. If your probation violation involved committing a new crime, you may face additional criminal charges. To prevent serious penalties, work with a probation violation attorney. They can fight for lessened penalties or try to prove that the violation was accidental or outside your control.

Q: Can You Get a Bond on a Probation Violation in Texas?

A: It is up to the judge whether to set bail or not. A bond may be possible if your probation violation occurred on misdemeanor probation. They are unlikely to exist for violations of felony probation. If no bond is set, your attorney can request or file a motion for bail.

The Law Office of Joseph Ruiz, PLLC, Can Help

Our firm can help you understand the penalties you may face for a probation violation and your legal options. Contact the Law Office of Joseph Ruiz, PLLC, today.