Woodbridge Probation Violation Lawyers

Violating the terms of your probation can be a very serious matter. Depending upon the circumstances of your case, you could face harsh criminal penalties and even run the risk of being incarcerated. When allegations of a probation violation arise, the prosecution will act quickly – and if your sentence was suspended earlier, the prosecution is likely to make a request for the judge to revoke your previously suspended sentence.

If you have been accused of a probation violation you cannot afford to go it alone. With so much on the line you need to have an experienced criminal defense attorney on your side who understands how the criminal justice system operates. Casey R. Stevens and Lisa K. Caruso are first-rate Woodbridge, Virginia defense lawyers who know what it takes to successfully confront a probation violation allegation. As former prosecutors for the Commonwealth of Virginia they have an extensive understanding of how the government approaches and prosecutes these types of cases. They will undertake a thorough analysis of your situation striving to develop the strongest possible defense strategy for your case.

Probation Violations in Virginia

Under Virginia law a probation violation occurs when an individual fails to meet the specific conditions of his or her probation. Depending upon the nature of your crime and the sentence in your case, your probation requirements may include:

Reporting to a probation officer
Making restitution
Not committing any additional crimes
Not leaving the state
Maintaining steady employment
Passing drug or alcohol tests
Completing a community service requirement

If you are found to be in violation of the terms and conditions of your probation, the court can impose a number of different penalties and sanctions including:

Sentencing you to a period of incarceration for failing to abiding by the court’s order
Extending your period of probation
Ordering you to pay all or a portion of any fine that was previously suspended
Adding additional terms or conditions to your original probation order
Revoking your probation and ordering you to complete the previously suspended portion of your sentence

In the event that you are convicted of a new crime while you are on probation, the court will not only impose penalties for your new offense, it is also likely to impose additional penalties for your probation violation. In these situations, it is very important for you to make certain that you have a knowledge defense attorney who will properly address the serious charges you are facing.

Common Probation Violations in Specific Types of Cases

Along with the typical probation terms discussed above, judges in Virginia have the discretion to impose a variety of other probation terms as well. In many cases, judges will impose additional terms that are specific to the crime for which probation is being imposed. For example, common probation violations following DUI, drug crime, and domestic violence convictions include:

Common DUI Probation Violations

Consuming drugs or alcohol while on probation
Attempting to circumvent an ignition interlock device (IID)
Registering a prohibited breath alcohol concentration (BAC) on an IID
Failing to complete the Virginia Alcohol Safety Action Program (VASAP)
Driving on a suspended license or violating the terms of a restricted license

Common Drug Crime Probation Violations

Using drugs while on probation
Possessing drugs while on probation
Failing a drug test
Failing to complete mandatory drug counseling or treatment
Failing to complete community service

Common Domestic Violence Probation Violations

Having prohibited contact with the victim or the victim’s family members
Possessing a firearm or other dangerous weapon
Failing to attend mandatory anger management
Failing to attend mandatory family counseling
Committing any additional act of domestic violence

If you are on probation in Virginia, it is critical to ensure that you know all of the terms with which you are required to comply. If you are not clear on your obligations—or if you have been accused of violating the terms of your probation—you should consult with a Woodbridge probation violation lawyer promptly.

Potential Consequences of Violating Your Probation in Virginia

In Virginia, probation violations can have serious consequences. This is true for all types of violations. If you are accused of violating your probation, you will be required to appear in court, and if you are convicted of a probation violation, you could face consequences including:

Extended Probation – If you are found guilty of a probation violation, the judge could extend your probation. You will need to strictly comply with the terms of your probation throughout this extended period, and if you are accused of violating your probation again at any time, you will likely face additional consequences the second time around.
Additional Terms of Probation – Instead of (or in addition to) extending your probation, the judge may impose additional probation terms. For example, if your probation order does not currently require you to perform community service, the judge may add this as a new requirement. The judge may impose a variety of other additional terms as well.
Short-Term Imprisonment – If you violate the terms of your probation, the judge could force you to spend time in jail for contempt of the court’s probation order before being released to serve the remainder of your probationary term. Once you are released, you will need to be extremely careful to comply with the terms of your probation, as there is a good chance that another violation will lead to revocation.
Revocation of Your Probation – If the judge revokes your probation, you will be sent to jail, and you will be required to serve the remainder of your suspended sentence behind bars. The risk of having your probation revoked is one of the most important reasons why it is important to have an experienced Woodbridge probation violation lawyer representing you.

At Sevens Caruso, we provide experienced legal representation for individuals who have been accused of violating the terms of their probation in Virginia. If necessary, a Woodbridge probation violation lawyer can at times intervene in your case immediately, working with your probation officer to try to help you avoid being detained and formally charged. Our lawyers can also represent you in court, and we will defend you by all means available. If it isn’t possible to avoid a conviction under the circumstances at hand, we will focus on minimizing the consequences of your probation violation to the fullest extent possible.

Why It’s Important to Hire an Experienced Woodbridge Probation Violation Lawyer

If you have been accused of violating the terms of your probation, it is critical that you fight to protect yourself by all means available. Not only are you facing immediate consequences, but if you are found guilty and the judge allows you to continue serving probation, the consequences of a second (or subsequent) violation could be much more serious. If you are being accused of violating the terms of your probation by committing another crime, asserting a successful defense could be critical for avoiding fines, prison time, and other penalties.

With this in mind, it is essential that you hire an experienced Woodbridge probation violation lawyer as soon as possible. Here are just some of the ways an experienced lawyer will be able to help:

Determining if You Violated the Terms of Your Probation

Your lawyer can examine the facts of your case to determine if you have in fact violated the terms of your probation. This is a critical first step toward making informed decisions about your defense.

Helping You Understand What is At Stake

After assessing the facts of your case, your lawyer can help you understand what is at stake based on his or her knowledge of the law and past experience in similar cases. Knowing what is at stake is critical for making informed decisions as well.

Helping You Understand Your Options

With a clear understanding of the risks you are facing, your lawyer can help you understand your options. While there are a variety of ways to handle probation violations, it is critical that you choose the best option given the circumstances of your case.

Representing You in Your Probation Violation Case

Your lawyer can represent you throughout your probation violation case. This includes fighting to help you avoid a conviction and, if necessary, fighting to minimize the consequences of your probation violation.

Defending You Against Any Additional Criminal Charges

If you are facing any new criminal charges as a result of your alleged probation violation, your lawyer can defend you against these additional charges as well. At Stevens Caruso, we defend our clients against all types of criminal charges, and we have decades of experience achieving favorable results for our clients.

Discuss Your Situation with an Experienced Defense Lawyer

Being accused of a probation violation can be very scary and confusing. If you or someone close to you is facing this type of criminal allegation, it is very important for you to speak with an experienced criminal defense lawyer who will carefully analyze the facts of your case and make certain that your legal rights are fully protected.

Casey R. Stevens and Lisa K. Caruso are Woodbridge based criminal defense attorneys that represent clients throughout the Northern Virginia region and beyond. Casey and Lisa offer free in office initial consultations where they will review the allegations against you and outline the legal options available in your case. Casey and Lisa offer free in office initial consultations and can be reached through by contacting Casey on his cell phone 703-967-5750 or Lisa on her Cell 804-731-4262 or the firm’s online contact form.