What do I do after a probation violation?

Transcript

00:00 Question is what happens after a probation violation?
00:03 Now one of my favorite things to do in my office is when somebody comes and they talk to me
00:07 and I can give them some assurances.
00:08 I can, with all of the experience that I've had,
00:11 I can let them know just exactly where I think this case can go
00:14 and let them know what I always want to say, which is, "You're going to be okay."
00:18 On a motion to revoke, I can't always do that. Why?
00:21 Because when you get a motion to revoke, you are already on the hot seat.
00:25 You're already on probation or deferred.
00:28 And by the time you've been arrested for that violation, that means that the state of Texas
00:32 could be coming after you to put you either in jail or worse, in prison.
00:37 So what I will typically advise my clients whenever they contact me about a probation violation
00:42 and they're scared is I tell them, look, you've got a right to be scared, but use that fear.
00:47 What I would do next is I would contact their probation officer, ask them,
00:51 what kind of conditions do I need to do to comply to try to finish as much of this as I can?
00:56 and they need to get on the horse and they need to do that.
00:59 If there are fines to be paid, pay those fines.
01:01 If there are hours of community service, perform those hours.
01:04 If there's a class, take the class.
01:06 Get it because if you retain someone like me,
01:09 where when I go into the hearing for the motion to revoke,
01:12 I want to be able to say, "Hey, you know what?
01:15 You've got this violation, but he's taken care of everything."
01:18 And with a little bit of luck, probation may be on your side,
01:21 the prosecutor may be on your side,
01:23 and you want the prospect of them withdrawing that motion
01:26 to revoke and continuing you on probation
01:29 so that you can finish it.
01:31 But the more and more motions to revoke that you accrue,
01:34 the more difficult it becomes for your attorney
01:36 to be able to accomplish that goal.
01:38 So what do you do after a probation violation?
01:40 Do everything you can to find a good attorney
01:43 and complete the terms of your probation.
01:46 And if you have any questions,
01:47 feel free to contact my office at 210-222-9446.
01:51 Thank you.