Texas Criminal Defense Attorney Represents People Accused of Violating Probation

San Antonio lawyer helps ex-convicts remain productive members of society

Probation is an alternative to imprisonment, allowing people convicted of crimes to remain members of society provided that they comply with supervision and other conditions. If you are fortunate enough to receive probation following a conviction, you could end up in prison anyway if you violate the terms. Nevertheless, that fate may be avoided if you have competent legal representation. At Kevin L. Collins, P.C., my decades of experience as a prosecutor and defense counsel gives me an edge in helping alleged probation violators avoid going to prison due to unfortunate mistakes or misunderstandings.

How probation works

Persons under probation typically must comply with these conditions:

• Report regularly to a probation officer
• Report any change of address or employment to the probation officer
• Stay in the jurisdiction, unless given permission to leave by the probation officer
• Avoid certain persons or places
• Avoid using illegal drugs
• Submit to drug tests and searches upon demand of the police or probation officer
• Follow any other orders imposed by the court
• Obey all laws

A probationer may also have to perform community service and pay fees or fines imposed by the court.

When I succeed in getting probation for one of my clients, I explain all the requirements and conditions and answer any questions the client has about how to complete probation successfully.

What happens if you are accused of violating probation?

The state may move to revoke your probation if you are alleged to have violated any of its conditions, in which case you will face a probation revocation hearing in court. The judge may order you jailed pending the hearing, possibly without bail.

At the hearing, the prosecutor needs to prove a probation violation only by a preponderance of the evidence, a much lower standard than beyond a reasonable doubt, which is required to convict someone of a crime. That means, for instance, that if you are accused of a crime while on probation but are acquitted, your probation might still be revoked. If you are found guilty of a probation violation, you might be required to go to prison for the crime for which you were on probation in the first place.

Because your freedom is at stake and the prosecution’s burden of proof is low, you need a skilled and effective criminal defense attorney at your side throughout the process. I have decades of experience handling probation revocation hearings. My inside knowledge of the system, based on my years as a prosecutor, gives me an edge in developing and presenting the best defense to the allegations. If you allegedly committed a new offense, I might be able to work out a plea bargain that addresses both the probation violation and the new crime in a single sentence.

Contact a San Antonio probation revocation defense attorney for more information

If you are charged with violating your probation, reach out immediately to Kevin L. Collins, P.C. in San Antonio, Texas. Contact me online or call me at 210-598-8629.