WEST CHESTER VIOLATION OF PROBATION LAWYER

Skinner Law Firm – Criminal Defense Attorney from Mike Skinner.

If you suspect that your probation officer will submit an affidavit to the trial court alleging that you violated the terms of your probation, it is important to act quickly. A criminal defense attorney can help avoid severe repercussions from a probation violation and may be able to help you request additional time to comply with the terms of your probation.

Your criminal defense attorney can help you find important defenses to probation violations, including showing that the violation was not willful or substantial.

When you agree to probation or parole, it is important to remember that you generally give consent to a search of your person, residence or property upon reasonable suspicion that you have violated the law or terms of your probation.

West Chester Violation of Probation Attorney

Contact the Skinner Law Firm today at (610) 436-1410 for a consultation about the particular facts and circumstances of your alleged violation of probation. Attorney Michael J. Skinner represents persons accused of violating probation in Pennsylvania, including the areas of West Chester in Chester County, Media in Delaware County, Norristown in Montgomery County, and Lancaster in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania Violation of Probation Information Center

• Substantive vs. Technical Probation Violations
• Examples of Probation Violations
• Resources in Pennsylvania for Violations of Probation

Substantive vs. Technical Probation Violations in Pennsylvania

Violations of probation can include both substantive violations and technical violations of the law. Substantive violations are defined as a new violation of any federal law, state law, county or municipal ordinance, or court order while currently on probation. After a person already on probation has committed a new violation or has been questioned by law enforcement, they must notify their probation officer of the new offense within 72 hours of the time they were arrested, cited or questioned by any law enforcement officer.

Under Pennsylvania law, technical violations are defined as any failure to comply with any special condition imposed by the court or the probation officer as a requirement to your probation.

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Examples of Probation Violations in West Chester

A few common examples of technical probation violations under Pennsylvania law can include the following:

• You could violate probation if you fail to report as directed to your probation officer. In most cases, you must report in person unless the court ordered non-reporting.

• You could violate probation if you fail to complete the community service hours as required.

• You could violate probation if you fail to successfully complete any treatment or counseling programs ordered by the court, including, but not limited to:
  1. Domestic Batterers Intervention Program,
  2. Anger Management Classes,
  3. Fathers Group Counseling,
  4. Alcohol Safe Driving Program Enhanced Supervision Program,
  5. Drug/Alcohol Evaluation and recommended Treatment Intensive Supervision,
  6. Intermediate Punishment Program,
  7. Sex Offender Program,
  8. Mental Health Protocol for a specified time period,
  9. Domestic Violence Program, and/or
  10. Guardian Interlock Chronic Substance Abuse Program.

• You could violate probation if you leave the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania without your probation officer’s permission.

• You could violate probation if you change your address or employment without permission from your probation officer.

• You could violate probation if you use, possess or sell any controlled substances or illegal narcotics, or consume any alcoholic beverage that your probation officer can test for through urinalysis or other chemical testing.

• You could violate probation if you possess any firearm, ammunition or other deadly weapon.

• You could violate probation if you fail to pay fines, costs and/or restitution as ordered by the court or under a payment plan.

Remember, defenses exist in both technical and substantive probation violations. Your criminal defense attorney may be able to present a defense to your violation of probation, including the fact that the violation was not willful or substantial.

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Resources for Violation of Probation in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole – This is the official website for the Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole and contains information on probation and parole, county probation services, statistics, reports, and publications.

Probation Office for Chester County, Pennsylvania – This site contains frequently asked questions about adult probation, including the difference between probation and parole, the definition of intermediate punishment, ARD, travel restrictions for probationers, and how to send payments for fines or costs on probation. The Chester County probation office is located at:

Probation and Parole Office for Delaware County, Pennsylvania – Find general information on this website, including statistics and articles about the Adult Probation and Parole Services (APPS), in conjunction with the Delaware County Criminal Justice Advisory Committee (DCCJAC). The Delaware County Adult Probation and Parole has offices in Media, Chester, and Upper Darby. The Chester office is located at:

Adult Probation and Parole Department for Montgomery County, Pennsylvania – Find out more about Montgomery County’s probation and parole office at this website, including general supervision and intermediate punishments, the ARD program, house arrest, electronic monitoring, behavioral health court program, and drug treatment courts. The Montgomery County probation main office is located at:

Adult Probation and Parole Services in Lancaster County, PA – Find out more information on this website about the Office of Administrative services, coordinated services, standard supervision, Impaired Driver Program, community resources, and special offender services. This site also has information on supervision programs, including interstate and inter-county transfers.

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Working with an Experienced Pennsylvania VoP Attorney

Contact the Skinner Law Firm today for a consultation about your alleged probation violation in Chester County, Pennsylvania, and the surrounding areas of Lancaster County, Montgomery County and Delaware County, Pennsylvania. Michael J. Skinner will make every effort to help you avoid the most devastating penalties for allegations of violating your probation. Call (610) 436-1410 for a consultation about your probation violation for a felony or misdemeanor offense.