Probation Violation Defense in Indianapolis
25 Years of Experience from Former Prosecutors Serving North and Southwest Indianapolis
While probation offers some liberties incarceration might not, it is still a criminal sentence with strict rules. Any violation of your probation could lead to serious consequences, and there are many unfortunate situations when you might not even realize that your behavior constitutes a violation. If you have been accused of violating the terms of your probation, contact Gemma & Karimi, LLP immediately for legal counsel. The firm is led by a team of former prosecutors who are intimately familiar with both the prosecution and defense sides of the Indiana criminal justice system, so they can effectively strategize your next steps if you’ve been charged with a violation of your probation.
Why Choose Gemma & Karimi, LLP for Your Probation Violation?
- See What Sets Us Apart
- Local Lawyers Born & Raised in Indianapolis
- Former Prosecutor Who Knows Both Sides of the Law
- 24/7 Direct Access to Attorneys
- 25 Years of Combined Legal Experience
Don’t let a minor slip-up of your probation cause a landslide of legal problems. Contact Gemma & Karimi, LLP online or call (317) 676-4747 to schedule a free consultation today.
Understanding Probation Violations in Indiana
If law enforcement has reason to believe you have violated a term of your probation, they can arrest or detain you. Generally, a person violates probation if they disobey the provisions set forth in their probation requirements or break the law and commit another crime. Probation often requires individuals to refrain from using drugs or alcohol, paying probation fees, meeting regularly with a probation officer, and passing drug screens.
Common Examples of Probation Violations:
- Being arrested or convicted of another criminal offense;
- Failing a drug test administered by police or the probation officer;
- Failing to check in with the probation officer as routinely required;
- Failing to attend required rehabilitation or counseling;
- Leaving the jurisdiction of the probation without seeking permission;
- Violating a specific curfew set out in the probation requirements;
- Violating a home confinement requirement;
- Not paying required fees associated with the probation or offense.
An experienced probation lawyer can better help examine the accusations against you in the context of your probation requirements. Sometimes, law enforcement can be particularly strict about the legal jargon, but a good lawyer can advocate for your case and argue down the severity of an alleged violation. Probation violations are not the end of the world, but the court does treat them seriously, as probation is a more liberal alternative to a traditional jail sentence.
Contact Gemma & Karimi, LLP online for a free consultation to get started.
Penalties for Violating Probation in indianapolis
The repercussions for violating probation can be serious, depending on how substantial the violation was. In some instances, the responsible probation officers might add additional probation requirements like more community service or enhanced drug testing to the existing provisions. In more serious cases, the offender may lose their chance at probation and be required to carry out the remainder of their sentence in prison.
The exact penalties for a probation violation will depend, but they may include:
- enhanced jail time or longer probation compared to the original sentence;
- returning to prison for the remainder of the probationary sentence;
- an enhancement of the original sentence to the maximum penalty for the offense;
- no longer being able to post bond in the future for an arrest;
- beginning new counseling or drug rehabilitation;
- more frequent substance abuse tests and check-ins.
Note that the probation officer has the authority to dole out the consequences. They may decide to deal with the violations internally and simply add requirements to the probation term, or they might file an official notice of violation with the court. In the latter case, the court will set a probation violation hearing and possibly issue a warrant for the violator’s arrest. A probation violation may be filed in the court up to 1 year after the completion of probation or 45 days after the state receives notice of the violation.
Probation violation proceedings can be confusing to navigate, especially if they end up in court. If you have been unfairly accused of violating your probation or have questions about your probationary terms, do not hesitate to contact Gemma & Karimi, LLP for legal asistance. The firm can take a detailed look at your situation and discuss your best course of action that meets your goals. Led by a team of former prosecutors, Gemma & Karimi, LLP is deeply aware of how the criminal justice system deals with probation and can help guide you through all the legal steps of resolving your case.
Understanding Your Rights During Probation Violation Proceedings
When facing a probation violation, it's crucial to understand your rights and the legal process involved. Our experienced Indianapolis probation violation attorneys at Gemma & Karimi, LLP can guide you through the complexities of probation violation proceedings and ensure that your rights are protected every step of the way.
Some important rights to be aware of during probation violation proceedings include:
- The right to legal representation
- The right to a hearing before a judge
- The right to present evidence and witnesses in your defense
- The right to challenge any evidence presented against you
- The right to appeal a probation violation decision
By choosing our firm, you can rest assured that we will vigorously advocate for your rights and work towards achieving the best possible outcome for your probation violation case.
