Probation Violation? Violation of Probation Attorney John Crangle has handled 200+ probation violation hearings in Upstate South Carolina. Crangle Law Firm can help!
Probation is court ordered supervision, imposed when a person is convicted of a crime. There are many different types of probations and ways the Court may order it.
The basics of Probation in South Carolina is the Judge sentences you to jail, but the Judge suspends that sentence to a term of probation. In South Carolina, Probation can not exceed 5 years. If you successfully complete probation, the suspended sentence never comes into effect.
For example: If your sentence is 10 years suspended to 5 years probation, you will be on probation for 5 years. If you successfully complete probation, you won’t serve 10 years. However, if you violate probation, the Judge could sentence you to 10 years in jail.
However, if you VIOLATE your probation the Judge can send you to jail. Because you pled guilty, this is not a trial. It is only a hearing where the Department of Probation and Parole must prove by the preponderance of the evidence that you violated the terms of your probation.
Probation requires many terms and conditions. Most of them are common sense; don’t get arrested, pass drug tests, report when instructed, work at a job or do community service.
If you violate the terms, your probation agent will serve you with a VIOLATION OF PROBATION warrant. (See SC Code 21-24-450). This is merely an accusation. You are entitled to a bond on this warrant UNLESS you failed to appear at your probation violation hearing after being served.
Violation of Probation Attorney John Crangle has represented 200+ clients with violations of probation cases. We challenge the willfulness of the violation and negotiate with Probation Agents. Our goal is terminating the probation, continuing on probation, dismissing the violation, or reducing the potential sentence.
A probation violation means facing jail time, losing your job, or losing your family. There’s too much at stake.
