Facing harsh charges such as a long jail term in Pennsylvania courts is one of the things you wouldn't want to experience. However, you may be lucky after a judge sentences you to probation instead of serving a jail term. The judge may release you back to the community, but you won't have all the freedom and privileges that other community members experience.
You may violate one or several conditions of your probation, and that's where the woes begin. The judge may revoke your probation and issue a jail term or modify the conditions to be more strict.
A probation violation is an offense that surfaces when you don't follow any of the terms set in court for your probation. The punishment you get for disrespecting probation rules may depend on several factors, including whether you have a history of violations and the seriousness of the violation. Penalties relating to probation violations include extended probation, jail time, and expensive fines. Continue reading to learn more about what transpires after you break your probation.
Violating a probation ruling may trigger some consequences, some bearable and some to make your case more complicated. The first consequence is getting a warning from your probation officer. Warnings come about when your violation is minor or unintentional.
The officer alerts you that if you break your probation again, you'll have to face punishment. If you violate your probation after a warning, the probation officer will order a probation hearing. Here is where you need help from your criminal lawyer Delaware County to defend you in court. The judge may revoke your probation or add terms to it if you're found guilty.
Depending on the severity of your probation compared to your original offense, the judge may issue a ruling to put you in prison or jail. Breaking your probation may warrant a more jail term than what you would have in the first place before getting rewarded probation.
You should know your legal rights and responsibilities when you face probation violation charges to minimize or fend off additional consequences or penalties. During the violation hearing process, you have the right to get a written notice of the alleged violations against you, get an attorney, be heard by a fair judge, provide evidence and witnesses to prove your innocence. You can seek advice from a probation violations lawyer to explain to you in detail about your rights.
Law Office Of Steven F. O'Meara is the place to go if you're a resident of Delaware County and you have a probation violation case to answer. Our criminal law attorneys have the necessary experience to represent you in court and get you a favorable outcome. Don't get stranded in court. Call today for professional help.