Probation Violation Defense Attorney in Columbus
Probation Violations Are Serious
If you are found in violation, the judge can sentence you to jail or prison for the maximum sentence of your original case.
If you ignore your probation violation, you could be sent to jail or prison for the maximum sentence of your original case
If you were placed on probation in Franklin County and are now accused of violating your probation you are likely facing serious consequences. It is crucial to speak with a qualified probation violation lawyer who is experienced in Ohio courts. Call Rutan Law before the situation gets any worse.
Get Probation Reinstated – If you failed to complete a required class or the required number of community service hours, in many cases, we may be able to help you get an extension and your probation reinstated. We can present information and a plan to the court and prosecutor that will help you get back on track.
Why you need an experienced lawyer handling your probation violation:
A judge can put you in jail before the hearing: If a judge feels that you will not show up to court or that you a risk to the community, he can remand you into custody (jail). If it’s a misdemeanor, the judge is required by law to set a bail (but it could be a very expensive bail). If it’s a felony a judge can remand you into custody on a no-bail hold. Again, this is why you need a qualified lawyer to represent you. On a misdemeanor probation violation, you need to someone fighting to get you a reasonable bail.
You have a right to a hearing: You have the right to demand that the prosecutor present evidence to a judge that you violated your probation. You have the right to cross-examine prosecution witnesses and raise a defense, similar to a criminal trial. However, in probation violation hearings, the prosecution only needs to show that it was “more likely than not” that you were in violation of your probation. That means if it is “50.1% likely” that you violated your probation, the judge can find you in violation. This is a much lower standard than “beyond a reasonable doubt” in criminal trials.
If you have been arrested in a new case: In many cases, prosecutors try to use probation violations to keep a defendant in jail or force someone to take a bad deal on the new case. This is especially true in Columbus. It is critical that your attorney understands how to deal with Ohio Prosecutors and knows what’s realistic and what’s not.
Three Common Reasons for Probation Violations:
Administrative: Informal probation cases, the probationer fails to check in with the probation officer.
Failure to Comply with Terms and Conditions: A person fails to complete a required class, does not complete the required hours of community service/community labor, fails a drug test, refuses to comply with search and seizure conditions, or failure to pay fines.
Arrest on a New Offense: If you are arrested on a new offense while on probation, the prosecutor will likely ask the court to find that you violated your probation. Even if your new case is dismissed or reduced to a minor offense, the judge can still find that your conduct amounted to a probation violation. Once again, this is why you need an Ohio criminal lawyer who knows what he or she is doing when defending a probation violation.
YOUR RIGHTS IN A PROBATION VIOLATION HEARING:
If you are accused of violating your probation, you have the right to:
Other Practice Areas
- Warrants
- Burglary
- Domestic Violence
- DUI and OMVI
- Murder
- Restraining Order
- Sex Crimes
- Traffic Tickets
- Weapon Charges
- Assault Charges
- Conspiracy
- Drug Trafficking & Possession
- Forfeitures
- Hit & Run
- Robbery
- Shoplifting
- Theft Crimes
DON’T WAIT TO GET ARRESTED- Call Rutan Law Now.
Available- When I am Awake: 614-307-4343
