If you violated your probation or stand accused of doing so, you may want a knowledgeable and aggressive defense team on your side. At the Law Offices of M.J. Snyder, LLC, we investigate what happened, uncover the facts of the case, and fight to protect our client’s rights.
Our Philadelphia criminal defense lawyer wants to hear about your case as quickly as possible following your re-arrest. We understand how serious Philadelphia courts take probation violations and are ready to go to work for you to mitigate the impact this could have on your life.
A Probation Violation Conviction Could Mean Incarceration
Being on probation means you must follow a strict set of rules that the court puts in place. These rules could include getting and keeping a job, avoiding additional arrests, regular drug testing, and more.
In general, there are two types of probation violations:
- Technical probation violations: When you violate one of the terms of probation, such as failing a drug test.
- Direct probation violations: When you are arrested and convicted of a new criminal offense.
Either type of violation could put you behind bars or bring other consequences. You may want to reach out to a Philadelphia criminal defense attorney and speak with our team about representation if you:
- Believe you may fail a drug test
- Receive notification of a technical violation
- Are arrested on charges involving a new offense
- Need representation to fight the new charges and help with your probation violation accusation
We are prepared to offer you legal advice during a free consultation.
For a free legal consultation with a probation violation defense lawyer serving Philadelphia, call 215.515.3360
What does a Philadelphia Probation Violation Defense Attorney Do?
The criminal defense lawyer at our firm can work with you after a violation of probation. We want to help you avoid the harsh penalties that come with probation violations and help you keep your life on track. Some of the tasks we may handle for you include:
- Listening to the details of your case: It is important for us to know why you violated your probation, as this information could be useful in building your defense.
- Speaking to all involved parties for you: We can keep in contact with any witnesses, lawyers, police officers, and probation judges involved in your case. You can leave all case-related communication to us to avoid saying something that compromises your case.
- Evidence collection: Our team may need to gather evidence to build your case. Your criminal defense attorney will likely look for witnesses in your family or your place of work.
- Explaining laws that apply to your case: We understand the legal process can feel challenging, even if this is not your first time facing it. Legal jargon is confusing, so we will not use it when we discuss your case. Instead, your lawyer will explain the laws that apply to your case without using complex legal language.
Philadelphia Probation Violation Defense Lawyer 215.515.3360
Our Probation Violation Defense Team Wants to Help
If you are accused of violating your probation, you will face two hearings. If possible, you may want to enlist our team before the first probation hearing. During this hearing, we can present evidence to show you are not a flight risk and that holding you behind bars would harm your work, your family, and other parts of your life you have worked hard to establish.
If we only learn of your case after this hearing and you are incarcerated while waiting on your next appearance, we may be able to file a motion to lift the detainer keeping you in jail. We will fight the accusation itself during your second hearing and seek a more favorable outcome in your case. Our strategy could focus on:
- Challenging the allegations that you violated your probation
- Providing proof that putting you in jail for an extended time is not beneficial for you or your family, such as how hard you work to support your children
- Showing the court how your life has improved since your initial arrest
- If you face additional criminal charges, we can develop a defense in an effort to clear your name or lessen the penalties you face.
We Fight to Protect Our Clients
Our team has helped thousands of people achieve fair outcomes in their criminal cases over the past decade. Our clients appreciate how quickly we act and how prepared we are for their cases. Below are a few reviews we’ve received:
- “I hired Marni Jo a few months ago. She was prompt, always returning my phone calls and emails almost immediately. She is smart, aggressive in court, and very knowledgeable in her practice. I felt a sense of comfort knowing she was representing a family member. Our outcome in court was great, we were very pleased. I would definitely recommend Marni Jo Snyder as a defense attorney.” – Cathy Carver Madden
- “My son did not think he would be able to get through these dark times but Ms. Snyder was that bright light of sunshine. With the outstanding work of Ms. Snyder my son can now move forward to the next chapter of his life.” – Tiffany Coley
We want to extend the same level of service to you and your family. If you are ready, someone from the Law Offices of M.J. Snyder, LLC is available to talk about your case today.
Did You Violate Your Philadelphia Probation?
It may be possible that you violated your probation without realizing it. Not all violations require you to commit a crime or have another run-in with law enforcement. According to the First Judicial District of Pennsylvania, some common probation violations include:
- Having a firearm or other weapon
- Traveling outside of a designated area without permission
- Failing a random drug test
- Not allowing a home visit from your probation officer
- Not attending a mandatory class or training
You could also receive a summons if you did not notify your probation officer of:
- An arrest
- A move
- A change in employment status
- A new job
Violating your probation in any way is not a good idea. However, sometimes things happen. At the Law Offices of M.J. Snyder, LLC, we understand. We will work with you to show the court that you did not commit a violation or that the violation was only minor and did no harm. Our goal is to keep you out of jail or limit the time you spend behind bars.
The Sooner You Notify Us, the Sooner Our Team Can Fight for You
You may not have long to enlist the help of a legal advocate in your case. Because of a decision by the U.S. Supreme Court in Gagnon v. Scarpelli, 411 U.S. 778 (1973), the court can only revoke probation after you have two hearings. The first will occur quickly; then, you will have several weeks of notice before the second.
However, the court can hold you in custody between your arrest and through both of these hearings. If we know about the first hearing in time to appear on your behalf, we may be able to present evidence showing why you should not remain detained in jail throughout this process. If we do not learn about the cases until after this hearing, we can:
- File a motion to request your release from jail until your hearing
- Investigate what happened and build a case for you
- Represent you at the second hearing
- Present evidence for a better possible outcome in your case
Whether you are facing your first or second hearing, having one of our defense attorneys on your side can bring you peace of mind. We will present the facts and argue that you should not face incarceration based on the evidence we gathered during our investigation.
Contact Our Probation Violation Defense Team as Soon as You Know You Need Help
You can reach a team member at the Law Offices of M.J. Snyder, LLC for a free consultation today. We will speak with you about your probation violation case or the case against your loved one.
