Maryland Probation Violations

Getting arrested is usually a life-changing event. Depending on the severity of the charges, individuals may expect to serve jail time, pay fines, and face obstacles when it comes time to vote, secure housing, or even find a job. Needless to say, the consequences of getting arrested can have a lasting and pervasive adverse effect. Given our society’s current reckoning of sexual assault cases in powerful institutions like Hollywood and Capitol Hill, even powerful or famous people may soon face serious criminal charges.

If you’ve repaid your debt to society by serving time in prison, getting rearrested would be devastating. For many, the most common way to end up back in handcuffs is through a probation violation. If you’ve been arrested for violating the terms of your probation, it is essential that you educate yourself on your rights and which steps to follow next in order to secure justice.

Probation Requirements

The idea behind probation is that those who recently served time in prison should be monitored by the criminal justice system to ensure that they are re-assimilating well into society. There are a number of requirements associated with parole, such as:

• Securing employment
• Maintaining regular check-ins with a parole officer
• Keeping a clean record
• Refraining from leaving one’s state of residence
• Keeping the company of non-criminals
• Not using illegal drugs or imbibing to excess
• Not possessing firearms

As you can see, some of these restrictions can be somewhat onerous in practice. Compared to the procedures and confines of the prison system, they may seem downright flexible. But, in the context of societal norms, they can certainly be limiting.

Parole Violations

It’s important to note that not all parole violations will lead directly to a trial and sentencing. In general, parole officers exercise a substantial amount of discretion when deciding which path to pursue.

But, if someone has been arrested for violating their probation, and their parole officer decides that their case warrants a trial, they can face serious consequences. While the crime itself may not be severe, judges still may decide to “throw the book” at the defendant. To be sure, judges often see parole as a second chance. If they believe someone didn’t take that second chance seriously and entered into the same kind of criminal behavior that led to their first arrest, then they may be much less sympathetic to their position. Consequences for parole violations can include:

• Jail time, including the remainder of one’s original sentence
• Financial penalties
• Extended probation

It’s important to note that not all parole violations will lead directly to a trial and sentencing. In general, parole officers exercise a substantial amount of discretion when deciding which path to pursue.

Finding the Right Attorney

If you expect to face a trial for violating the terms of your parole, one of the most important decisions you can make is choosing an aggressive, determined, and experienced legal team to advocate on your behalf. The lawyers at the Law Offices of Todd K. Mohink, PA in Glen Burnie have the experience necessary to guide you successfully through the legal system so that you may secure justice. Call today to learn more.