If you have been convicted of a crime in Virginia, you may have been placed on probation by the judge. Probation allows you to serve your sentence at home rather than in jail. There are strict sets of rules for when a person is on probation; when those rules are broken, a judge may attach a harsher sentence to the original crime.
If you have violated a judge’s probation order, you should not appear in court on your own to defend yourself. You should have a probation violation lawyer on your side to defend you. There are options for you if you have violated your probation, but only an experienced criminal defense attorney knows the law and can help you with your case.
Probation violation attorney Cody Villalon has been defending criminal cases for more than 10 years and has defended more than 1,000 cases. His passion for the law and his clients has helped those accused of crimes to receive dedicated representation and strong defense of their rights. If you are accused of violating your probation, contact Cody Villalon today at 804-316-0765.
Why Choose Us?
If you are accused of violating your probation, the possible penalties can be severe. You will want to hire a savvy and experienced probation violations attorney to represent you. Cody Villalon can help you in your case. Some of the reasons to choose Cody include:
- His extensive experience – Cody has been a criminal defense lawyer for over 10 years and has substantial knowledge in this area of law.
- Client testimonials – His clients have been extremely satisfied with his legal representation. But don’t take Cody’s word for it — take a look at his client testimonials.
- His knowledge of the local court systems – Cody has appeared in over 1,000 cases and knows how the local court systems work. He knows how to navigate a complicated court structure.
- He practices only criminal defense – Cody knows criminal defense law. He is not one of those attorneys who practice every type of law. Cody practices only criminal defense, which makes him an expert in the field.
There are many probation violation attorneys in Virginia. But, you will want to hire one that understands the law and is compassionate toward his clients. Cody Villalon truly cares about the clients he represents, and that care shows itself in the courtroom. So, give him a call at 804-316-0765.
Cody Can Help You
Violating probation can be a very serious offense, which could affect your entire life. You may be looking at many years in jail. Cody Villalon understands this and will fight diligently for you. When you hire Cody Vilallon, he will:
- Meet with you to discuss your case and explain your options
- Read the court proceedings and analyze them for a response
- Write letters and briefs to court explaining your defense
- Attend all court appearances with you
- Negotiate with the prosecutors
- Interview any witnesses
- Discuss your case with your probation officer.
Accusations of probation violation can be a nerve-wracking experience. An experienced and dedicated lawyer can be your best defense against prosecutors who want to see you in jail. Cody Villalon will fight the prosecutors and defend your case to the end.
Violating Probation in Virginia
There are numerous ways in which a person can violate their probation. There are many requirements that someone on probation must adhere to or they will be in violation. The requirements of your probation will depend on the type of crime committed and the judge’s sentence. Some of the requirements of probation may include:
- Reporting to your probation officer when directed
- Not using drugs or alcohol or any other substances
- Staying above the law and not committing any crimes
- Attending drug treatment programs
- Paying any fines associated with your crimes
- Completion of community service program
- Staying in the state unless you have permission from your probation officer.
These are just a few of the requirements of probation. It is important to understand your conditions of probation and not violate any of them.
If you have violated your probation, it is up to your probation officer to contact the prosecutor. Before you make any decisions, wait until the probation officer makes a decision on how he wants to handle the situation. If it is a small violation, he may decide to let you off with a warning.
If your probation officer decides to move forward, you will have a hearing for your violation. These hearings are similar to a criminal trial, where evidence is presented and you have a right to put up a defense. Here is where a strong, dedicated probation violation attorney comes in.
Cody Villalon will attend your probation hearing and will mount a vigorous defense against the prosecutor’s claims. Do not try to defend yourself, as the consequences will be quite severe.
Consequences For Violating Probation
Depending on the severity of the probation violation, there can be severe consequences handed down by the judge. If your probation officer is understanding about the violation, or if it was your first and only violation, he may just issue you a warning not to do it again and not report the violation to the court. However, if your probation officer does report you to the court, some of the consequences could include:
- An extension of your probation
- A short time in jail for a probation violation
- New terms to your probation, like community service or additional fines
- A full revoking of your probation and a longer time in jail.
In 2021, Virginia amended their probation laws. One of the aspects of the new law is that there are fixed and short sentences for specific and technical probation violations. These new sentences are:
- First Violation – The violator will not be sentenced to jail.
- Second Violation – The violator may not be sentenced to more than 14 days.
- More than Two Violations – The court can impose whatever the original sentence was, including imposing time in jail.
Ways to Defend Probation Violations In Virginia
Of course, every case is different, but there are some general methods that your probation lawyer can use to defend you in court, including the following:
- You didn’t realize that you were in violation of your parole. If it was truly a mistake, the prosecutor and the judge may be more lenient about their decision or may drop the violation.
- If you tested positive for drugs or alcohol, your Richmond drug possession lawyer can come up with a creative solution, like attending a treatment program or attending AA meetings.
- You may have a reasonable excuse why you violated your probation. Your attorney can plead your case to the judge and prosecutor.
- If your probation violation included a fine that you didn’t pay, your attorney may be able to negotiate a new payment plan with the court.
Whatever happened to make you violate your probation, a skilled probation violation attorney can diligently defend you. Mistakes happen. Cody Villalon has seen these types of violations many times and can help you with your case. Give Cody a call at 804-316-0765 to discuss your case.
Cody Villalon Answers Your Frequently Asked Questions
Do I really need an attorney for my probation violation case?
Legally, no. But, the prosecution and judge will want to punish you for the violation. Having an experienced probation violation attorney on your side will make a huge difference. Take the case seriously and hire Cody Villalon to defend you.
I did not violate my probation. What should I do?
Mistakes do happen. If you think that you didn’t violate your probation, don’t speak with the prosecutor or the judge until you speak with an attorney first. You may say the wrong thing.
If I violated my probation, how long will I go to jail?
Serving jail time is not an automatic consequence of violating your probation. Working with a knowledgeable probation violation lawyer can help in negotiating with the prosecutors, and hopefully you can avoid time in jail.
Will the judge revoke my probation?
It is possible, but that depends on the initial crime and what you did to violate the probation. We will work diligently to try to not have your probation revoked.
Contact Cody Villalon Today To Discuss Your Probation Violation Case
A probation violation is a serious charge and one that should not be taken lightly. You should have an experienced and caring probation violation lawyer in your corner. Cody Villalon has been working on cases like these for over 10 years and is respected by judges and prosecutors.
Whether the probation violation was for a DUI or shoplifting, a skilled shoplifting lawyer like Cody will work hard to make sure that your rights are secured and that you get a fair probation hearing. Cody truly cares about his clients and aggressively defends them in court.
If you are accused of violating your probation, do not wait. Call Cody Villalon today at 804-316-0765. You’ll be glad you did.
DEFENSE ATTORNEY CODY VILLALON
Cody Villalon is a criminal defense attorney in Richmond, VA representing clients accused of violent offenses and DUIs, and he specializes in serious criminal charges. He possesses more than 10 years of legal experience, has defended more than 1,000 cases, and has spent more than 5,000 hours in court. He is highly professional and well-respected by prosecutors and judges. [ Attorney Bio ]
