Posts Tagged "Probation"
Felony Probation Violation in Texas
This topic is going to be broken into two parts. This part is going to deal with felony probation violation in Texas. The next part is going to deal with misdemeanor probation violation in Texas. Felonies are the more serious offenses in Texas. These can range from 6 months in State Jail up to life in prison. I’m sure you have some questions already. If you’re not sure what type of probation you or a loved one are on, you need to check with your Probation Officer (PO) or your paperwork that put you on probation. Getting Started In a…
Length of Probation and Early Termination
I know that I’ve written over and over about the role of plea bargains and probation in the criminal justice system. One post that sums it up nicely is 3 Ways Your Criminal Case Can End. Plea bargaining and probation often go hand in hand in a criminal case. It’s important to know that there are 2 Types of Probation in Texas. In this post, I’m only focusing on Straight Probation, NOT Deferred Adjudication. Just because you were put on probation for a period of years, doesn’t mean that you can’t ask the Court to terminate your probation early. The length…
What Happens If You Violate Probation?
This question comes up from clients pretty often. This post is Part 1 of 2. The stakes can be high if your probation is revoked in Texas. Usually, clients call or ask me – what happens if you violate probation? My answer is the same… it depends. Many clients are fearful of the sword hanging over their head that is probation. What happens when they violate probation can be very nerve wracking, especially if they’re facing prison time. It’s a very valid concern considering many criminal cases are resolved through a plea bargain agreement between the Defendant and the State. If…
Probation Revocation in Texas
The vast majority of criminal cases end with someone being put on some type of probation in Texas. This post is a quick summary of Probation Revocation in Texas. To find out more, go to my Probation Revocation Hearings Page. In Texas, probation is technically called Community Supervision. In a previous post I wrote about the difference between Deferred Adjudication Probation vs. Straight Probation. The difference between the two is very important. You should talk to your lawyer about the differences so that you know what you’re agreeing to and the positives/negatives of your choice. At the beginning of your case,…
3 Ways Your Criminal Case Can End
The reason behind this blog post, like so many others, is to demystify the criminal defense process in Texas. I think that many of my clients come into my office with some false ideas about how their cases will end. As I’ve said before, I like to let my clients know what to expect right off the bat. I don’t like surprises and I’m sure that you don’t either. This is especially true when it affects the rest of your life. Knowing what your options are in a criminal case, and from your lawyer, can help you make the best…
Conditions of Probation in Texas
In a previous post I explained the difference between deferred adjudication probation and “straight probation in Texas.” If you’re not sure about the difference between the two, or whether or not the difference matters, go back and read that post. Not all probation is the same. Normally, you’re placed on probation because of an agreement between you and the State. This is a part of the plea bargain. In exchange for your plea of guilty, your sentence will be probated as part of your plea bargain. As with everything else, Probation comes with terms and condition. What are the “normal”…
Getting Sued and Texas Criminal Probation
Recently I had a client come into my office because he was getting sued on an unrelated case. This was a big deal to him because he’s on criminal probation. He was worried that getting sued while on probation could get him revoked. If you’re on misdemeanor or felony probation in Texas, if you get revoked, you may be looking at years in prison. This is the same as staring down the barrel of a gun for most people. However, just to ease your fears, you can’t have your probation revoked for being sued in an unrelated civil lawsuit. These…
Types of Probation in Texas
Probation in Texas Criminal Cases A lot of clients come into my office and ask me about probation and their criminal cases. The technical term for probation has been changed to “Community Supervision.” There are two types of probation in Texas. These are a “straight probation” or a Deferred Adjudication. The type of probation you receive depends largely on your plea agreement or the Judge’s decision following a jury trial. Each type of probation has its own pros and cons. Probation, Community Supervision, and Straight Probation All of these names mean the same thing. Probation is when your jail/prison sentence…
