Brockton Probation Violation Attorney

Your Probation Violation Could Lead to Immediate Incarceration

Probation is when a convicted criminal is allowed to live and work in society but under the supervision of a probation officer for a specified amount of time. This probation will have certain conditions and rules that must be followed by the offender. If they are violated, the offender could very easily end up with further punishment, including incarceration.

The criminal defense attorneys at South Shore Criminal Defense in Brockton can help you if you've been accused of violating your probation terms. It's possible the charges are not valid, or there may have been circumstances that led to the violation and which, if accepted by the court, court result in a more lenient punishment. Our attorneys have all been former prosecutors, and with years of criminal defense experience, they know how both sides of the law function. This is valuable know-how when it comes to defending you.

Charged with violating the terms of your probation?

Probation violations usually occur due to any of the following:

• not attending prearranged meetings with your probation officer
• not participating in a court-ordered treatment program
• getting arrested while on probation
• leaving the state
• possessing illegal drugs
• carrying a firearm
• getting into just about any trouble with the law

Consequences of Violating Probation

Massachusetts State law enforcement can view a probation violation as a criminal violation in and of itself. In some circumstances, if you were put on probation in relation to a relatively low-level misdemeanor conviction, the penalties associated with violating that probation can be worse than the original sentencing. If you have been accused of violating your probation for any of the aforementioned reasons, you need to take it seriously and retain legal counsel.

If the court finds that you have violated your probation, you could be penalized with:

• Extension: The original probation term tied to your previous criminal conviction can be extended. While this extension will normally be no more than a few months, it is up to the judge’s discretion and could double your probation duration.
• Jail time: It is not uncommon for you to be sentenced to at least a short stay in jail if you violate probation. This can be a week or 90 days in some cases. Upon your release, the probation will resume from where it left off before you were incarcerated.
• Fine: Whether you were fined or not for your original conviction, you will likely be fined for a probation violation. The amount can vary depending on your first alleged crime or what was allegedly done to violate the probation terms, but you should expect to pay at least $500.
• Administrative penalties: A probation violation can allow the criminal justice system to reach into other aspects of your life to penalize you. This can include suspending your driver’s license, requiring you to wear an electronic monitoring device, and controlling where you go and when.
• Revocation: One of the most serious consequences of violating probation is having your probation entirely revoked. If this happens, you will be sent to jail and forced to remain there until the full sentence is served, sometimes without a chance of parole.

Make an Appointment with Our Brockton Criminal Defense Attorney

The criminal justice system is going to come down at you full-force after you have been accused of violating your probation. They will begin piecing together evidence to use against you and determining what punishment is fitting. You need to take action and prepare your defense just like you would for any other criminal case.

The Hingham & Plymouth probation attorneys of South Shore Criminal Defense can review the claims of the prosecution, pinpoint weaknesses, and shield you from the heavy hand of the law. You deserve to have your side of the story told, and you should not be further penalized due to misunderstandings, exaggerations, or falsified claims. Contact the firm as soon as possible to begin a proper defense.