Violating parole or probation in Pennsylvania can have serious consequences. Depending on how the parole and probation violations allegedly occurred, you could be sent to jail or prison without a trial or face other serious consequences. At Mazzoni Valvano Szewczyk & Karam, we know the Commonwealth takes parole and probation violations seriously. That’s why our experienced Scranton criminal defense attorneys work so diligently to protect the rights of our clients. Without question, your entire life could be turned upside down, sometimes because of a simple mistake.
Our Scranton parole violation attorneys know the legal system inside and out. We know how the state officially calculates credit for time served in jail and what that means if you violate your parole agreement. We also have extensive experience handling probation violation cases in Lackawanna County and other neighboring jurisdictions.
These differences in parole and probation will also determine how a violation is handled. For example, state and county parole have different consequences given the stricter policies and procedures that must be followed on a state level. In addition:
These procedural differences are complicated without having strong legal counsel behind you to guide you through the process and to ensure your rights are protected.
The terms of each person’s parole and probation are unique. Some defendants have more strict probation rules, while others might have fewer conditions as part of their parole agreement. Some of the most common ways people violate probation or parole in Pennsylvania include:
Did you know that Pennsylvania has the second-highest overall rate of correctional control in the country? In the Keystone State, if you are accused of committing a crime while on probation or parole, you may be issued a detainer which is an order to hold an individual for several weeks or longer while a judge determines if the individual’s sentence will be increased or if the charges for the violation will be dropped.
While this is meant to keep those on parole or probation from being behind bars, the reality is that many placed on a detainer will remain incarcerated in jail or prison for weeks or months prior to their violation hearing.
Knowing that there is the possibility of being detained for an extended period of time for a probation violation, you need to seek legal counsel immediately.
If you don’t have a parole and probation violation lawyer, you could find yourself behind bars for the remainder of your parole or probation sentence. However, it’s also important to understand that rules for parole or probation violations can often be vague.
In many cases, the judge ruling on such violations has the flexibility to decide whether to send the defendant to jail or prison, if they’re imprisoned at all. With so much at stake, it’s best to seek the advice of a highly skilled Scranton attorney who has a comprehensive understanding of state and federal laws and knows how to navigate the legal system in Pennsylvania.
Our lawyers are some of the most experienced attorneys in Lackawanna County. Our legal team includes a former two-term District Attorney and the former assistant city solicitor for the City of Scranton. We know how to quickly and carefully investigate parole or probation violations. We often find weaknesses in the state’s case, which can result in a favorable decision for our clients.
Find out how we can help you. Contact us and schedule a free case evaluation at Mazzoni Valvano Szewczyk & Karam. Call (570) 348-0776.
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