Probation Violation Lawyer

Substantive Vs. Technical Probation Violations

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.

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.

Interstate Compact for Adult Offenders

This is an agreement among the 50 states, District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands that governs how and when states can transfer probation and parole supervision. If you meet the necessary guidelines, an attorney can assist with transferring your supervision to a new jurisdiction.

Probation Violation Resources

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:

Chester County Adult Probation and Parole Department
Chester County Justice Center
201 W. Market Street, Suite 2100
P.O. Box 2746
West Chester, PA 19380
Phone: (610) 344-6290

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:

Chester Probation Office in Delaware County
151 W. 5th Street, 2nd Floor
Chester, PA 19013
Phone: (610) 447-1746

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:

Main Office for Montgomery County Probation
100 Ross Road, Suite 120
King of Prussia, PA 19406
Phone: (610) 992-7777

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.

Work with a 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.