If you were convicted of a crime, instead of serving jail time, the court may sentence you to probation. The terms of your probation are set by the court and may include regular check-ins with your probation officer, keeping a job, and staying out of legal trouble. If you violate the terms of your probation, you may face serious legal consequences, including:
- Your probation may be revoked, and you may serve a prison term for your conviction
- The terms of your probation may be changed to make probation more restrictive
- Your probation period may be extended, so you live under the terms of probation for a longer amount of time
When You’re Accused of Violating Probation
In most cases, your parole officer will be the one to accuse you of violating the terms of probation. Generally, the government must prove that you intentionally violated your probation terms or that you acted with unreasonable carelessness when you violated them.
The parole officer will notify the Virginia Parole Board, and a preliminary hearing will be scheduled. At the hearing, the parole officer will present information and supporting evidence of your violation. You have the right to be represented by a criminal defense lawyer who can also present evidence and call witnesses in your defense.
Contact a Virginia Criminal Defense Lawyer
As with any other crime, the government needs to prove that you violated the law before you face any criminal consequences. Accordingly, it is important to consult an experienced criminal defense lawyer as soon as you know, or have reason to suspect, that you are accused of violating your probation. Our criminal defense lawyers will make sure you are treated fairly. Call us, or start a live chat with us now to learn more.
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