Penalties for Violating Probation Lawyer St. Louis, MO. While probation and parole is a welcome way for many people in Missouri who have been convicted of crimes to maintain a measure of normality in their lives, it still remains a difficult process to follow. Missouri courts are within their rights to change the terms of probation at any time, for any reason, and without notifying the person serving the probation. When someone violates these conditions, it can–and often does–result in them facing severe penalties.
Combs Law Group is an experienced St. Louis, MO criminal defense law firm that has helped many people deal with probation violations. Our firm understands the value of communication and believes it is the key to getting the best possible results for all our clients throughout Missouri. Call us today at (314) 900-HELP for a free consultation about your St. Louis probation violation case.
What Happens When Someone Violates Probation In St. Louis, Missouri?
When someone is placed on probation or parole in Missouri, they are always given a certificate that outlines the exact conditions of their probation. In addition, the state of Missouri has published what is known as the White Book, which outlines the standard responsibilities for parolees.
When someone violates the terms of their probation, a report is submitted either by their probation officer or, in certain cases, a prosecuting attorney that outlines the specific violation and requests that their probation is revoked. In some cases, a warrant for the arrest of the accused can be issued. A Probation Revocation Hearing is then scheduled and held. It is important to note that the standard to revoke probation in Missouri is that the court must be “reasonably satisfied” that the terms of the probation were violated–notably different than regular court hearings, where the standard is that the act occurred “beyond a reasonable doubt”. Defendants are entitled to be represented by counsel at these hearings and can cross-examine witnesses.
If it is determined that the defendant indeed violated their probation, a judge can take multiple courses of action. These include continuing the probation term as-is, addition of new special conditions of probation (such as electronic monitoring), or remanding the defendant to authorities and placing them in prison.
Contact A Top-Rated Missouri Probation Violation Attorney
As we mentioned above, if you are accused of violating the terms of your Missouri criminal probation, you have the right to be represented by an attorney at your probation revocation hearing. Having a reputable St. Louis, MO criminal defense lawyer on your side can often make the difference between seeing the inside of a prison and keeping your hard-earned freedom.
At Combs Law Group, we recognize that often times St. Louis probation violations are a result of misunderstandings or poor communication between probation officers and those serving probation. Our firm works to prevent this by always allowing our clients have access to their attorney at any time–never a paralegal or assistant. We believe this creates an environment where potential probation violations are avoided, but at the same time we recognize that otherwise good people can get caught in bad situations. If you have any other questions about probation requirements, potential violations, or other issues related to probation in Missouri, contact us today for a free consultation.