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- The Conditions Of Probation In A Colorado Deferred Judgement and Sentence And The Criteria For Granting Probation
- Successfully Defending A Colorado Probation Violation Charge
- Are There Any Time Limits On Colorado Probation Violations?
- Can Illegally Obtained Evidence Be Used In Colorado Probation Violation Hearings Under 16-11-206?
- Colorado Probation Violation Hearings – Not The Same Rights As A Trial
- The How & Why Of Colorado Probation Violations Are Prosecuted
- When Does A Colorado Probation Sentence Actually Start?
- Colorado Probation Violations – Trying To Beat The Urinalyses (UA) – A Losing Proposition In Most Cases
- Colorado Probation Revocations – Why Working With Your Probation Officer Makes Sense
- Colorado Probation Revocation Violations Based On Drug Use -The Hot UA Problem
- A Colorado Probation Violation Guide To Intelligently Defending Probation Violations
- Colorado Probation Violations – The “Revoke And Terminate” Probation Option
- Defending Colorado Probation Violation Cases Tactics – Strategies – Plans of Action
- A Handbook On Information Success On Probation – How To Avoid A Probation Violation In Colorado
- Understanding Probation Revocation Polcies In Colorado Probation Revocation Decision Making
- Protecting Yourself While On Colorado Probation – Some Tips
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- What Are My Privacy Rights In Colorado Community Corrections – Half Way House?
- Will A New Deferred Judgement And Sentence Act To Revoke A Prior Deferred Judgement And Sentence Under Colorado Law?
- Colorado Criminal Law – The Return Of Property Seized By The Police
- Colorado Probation Law – Restitution Order May Lead To A Life Sentence On Probation.
- Arrests And Warrants In Colorado Probation Violation Cases – 16-11-205
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- Colorado Criminal Law – Can You Use Medical Marijuana While On Probation in Colorado – Update – A New 2015 Law Says YES With Conditions
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- Understanding The Colorado Plea Bargain Of The Deferred Prosecution – Adult Pre-Trial Diversion Program Under § 18-1.3-101
- Drug Tests and Other Violations of Probation In Colorado – The Law – 16-11-209
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Defending Colorado Probation Violation Cases Tactics – Strategies – Plans of Action
By Colorado Probation Violation Defense Lawyer – H. Michael Steinberg
Defending Colorado Probation Violation Cases
Defending Colorado Probation Violation Cases Tactics – Strategies – Plans of Action – is a topic that requires inquiry into the methods used by Colorado probation officers in deciding which probation violations to prosecute and which to forgive.
This article focuses on the policy issues behind that decision. Understanding those policy issues gives insight into how to pro-actively defend these case.
Violations Of Probation Can Take Many Forms – Here Are Some Examples
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A Colorado Probation Violation may take the form of:
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Committing a new offense
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Possessing a weapon
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Denying access of probation staff to your residence
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A search pursuant to probation supervision that leads contraband
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Absconding from supervision
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Testing positive for drugs
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Testing positive for alcohol
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Failing to register as a sex offender
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Associating with known felons, gangs, etc.
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Possession of contraband
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Violating travel restrictions
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Failing to participate in treatment
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Failing to submit urine/blood analysis
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Failing to maintain employment
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Failing to pay restitution, other fees
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Failing to participate in education program
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Failing to complete community service
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Changing residence without notice or permission
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Failing to report
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Violating curfew/approved schedule
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Making false statements
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Failing to follow orders
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Violating jail rules
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Failing to notify sheriff’s office of change of address (sex offender)
The Decision Of Whether To Proceed With A Probation Violation Complaint Involves A Calculation Of Risk
A probation officer – faced with a technical violation of probation – has the right to move forward with a probation violation complaint or rather to take other action substantially LESS THAN proceeding with a FULL BLOWN arrest warrant and court based probation violation hearing.
This decision turns on the offender’s level of risk. Factors such as the offender’s performance on probation to date, any past violations (during the current or previous periods of probation supervision), a history of failure to appear in court, and other issues turning on the probationer’s level of stability.
Most good probation offices have internal policies that attempt to introduce consistency and rationality into the probation violation decision making process.
Defending Colorado Probation Violation Cases Tactics – Strategies – Plans of Action – A Measured Response To The Specific Probation Violation
Probation officers have “options” depending on the kind of “violation behavior” at issue.
They do not – however – always act uniformly across county and city jurisdictions. But most “tier” their response to the situation on a sort of “violation severity scale.” Some – for example – may offer a low-level sanction such as a verbal reprimand to a low level violation of probation. Some react to the same violation with a “high-level sanction” such as a complaint to revoke probation and a recommendation to the judge for a certain amount of jail.
The decision to take every probation violation through the court system saves saves probation officers, court personnel, prosecutors, and judges valuable time. Finding the PO “sweet spot” tp achieve a non court sanction is the goal an an experienced Colorado criminal defense lawyer.
Some Typical Probation Violation Response Options
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Outpatient treatment
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Inpatient treatment
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Jail – Work Release
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Additional community service
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Start or restart electronic monitoring
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Vocational/educational program
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Educational classes
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House arrest – curfew home confinement
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Intensive probation supervision
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UA’s/breathalyzer
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Day reporting centers
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Extend – Restart probation
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Limited contacts/associations
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Increased supervision standards
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Hold the violation in abeyance
The Stubborn Probationer – A Colorado Criminal Defense Lawyer’s Reasoning
While there should be a response to a probation violation, that response should be proportional to the risk to the community posed and the actual severity of the violation. That response should be the “least restrictive response’ that is necessary. And there must be some consistency in handling similar violations of probation behavior – all things being equal.
The response to a probation violation should take a long view.
Unless the violation is for high risk behavior – if the probationer demonstrates a willingness to abide by all supervision requirements a Complaint or Petition to Revoke Probation should not be filed and another sanction sought.
The Decision To Revoke Probation Turns On:
The severity of the misconduct.
The risk posed by the offender.
and
The threat to community safety posed by the misconduct.
A Violation of Probation Is Defined As:
The commission of any crime or offense.
Failure to comply with any one or more conditions of probation.
Absconding by remaining away from the jurisdiction of the Court or hiding out.
Not Every violation of probation needs to be brought before the Court for an adjudication.
Violations May Be Handled On Two Levels:
By appearance before the Court.
OR
Administratively.
The goal of the lawyer for a VOP is to get it handled :administratively” To convince the PO that the “breach of conduct” is not so severe as to require Court action and that an acceptable understanding can be reached with the probationer as to his or her future conduct.
The Analysis Of The Probation Violation Should Involve These Things – Reasoning Through
1. Probation officers should seek a full blown revocation of probation in only the most serious threat based cases.
2. If there is no significant risk to community safety alternative, less restrictive intermediate sanctions are more “proportional” to the misconduct that has occurred.
3. A “graduated response” to deal with the probation violation makes the most sense to ensure future compliance with the conditions of probation and to deter the probationer from future misconduct.
4. Only the most serious “technical violations” that have high risks associated with them should result in a VOP.
5. So called “corrective interventions” must be measured and reasoned to meet a defendant’s “rehabilitative needs.”
6. Punishments should never be driven by anger or vengeance or “emotionally laden” they should be “matched to the particular offender” and realistically address the particular misconduct. Probation officers should never proceed with a VOP ONLY because they are “frustrated” that their supervision efforts have been difficult unless the probationer “poses a risk to community safety” Administrative and “internal measures” should be the first line of problem solving to deal with “probationer intransigence” and the failure to meet basic probation supervision standards.
7. If sanctions are to be imposed – they should be only those necessary and appropriate to bring about positive or sufficient change to alter/modify/control the behavior or to encourage/assist/ or enable the probationer to successfully complete the probation sentence.
6. The goal should always be to allow the probationer – offender to remain in the community under probation supervision. This enables the offender to maintain family and social ties, continue to work or seek gainful employment, pay restitution to victims, to aid his or her community through public service work, and to have access to social service agencies that can help him or her.
How Weld County Probation Does It – The Violation Review Board
In Weld County probation violation cases – the Violation Review Board (VRB) provides “a rational and purposeful decision making process that contributes to consistent and equitable responses to offender misconduct.”
In Weld – the probation officer refers to a probation violation “matrix” list to determine the severity of the violation when compared to the “risk” posed by the probationer. The PO then “staffs” the case to determine what sanction is appropriate seeking an alternative to the filing of a revocation complaint with the court.
Defending Colorado Probation Violation Cases Tactics – Conclusion
A Colorado criminal defense lawyer must understand the policy issues – and to speak the their “language.” Every Colorado probation department is different- every PO is different. What drives this probation officer – what is your client’s “relationship” with the PO? How can the lawyer “fix” the issue that is interfering with successful discharge of probation?
Denver Colorado Probation Violation Criminal Defense Lawyer
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: H. Michael Steinberg – Email The Author – [email protected] or call his office at 303-627-7777 during business hours – or call his cell if you cannot wait and need his immediate assistance -720-227-7777.
If you are charged with A Colorado crime or you have questions about [shoplifting or grand theft], please call our office. The Law Offices of H. Michael Steinberg, in Denver, Colorado, provide criminal defense clients with effective, efficient, intelligent and strong legal advocacy. We can educate you and help you navigate the stressful and complex legal process related to your criminal defense issue.
H. Michael Steinberg, is a Denver, Colorado criminal defense lawyer with over 40 years of day to day courtroom experience – specializing in Colorado Criminal Law along the Front Range. He will provide you with a free initial case consultation to evaluate your legal issues and to answer your questions with an honest assessment of your options. Remember, it costs NOTHING to discuss your case. So call now for an immediate free phone consultation.
Helping Clients To Make Informed Decisions In the Defense of Colorado Criminal Cases.
Colorado Defense Lawyer H. Michael Steinberg provides solid criminal defense for clients throughout the Front Range of Colorado – including the City and County courts of Adams County, Arapahoe County, City and County of Boulder, City and County of Broomfield, City and County of Denver, Douglas County, El Paso County – Colorado Springs, Gilpin County, Jefferson County, Larimer County, and Weld County,…. and all the other cities and counties of Colorado along the I-25 Corridor… on Defending Colorado Probation Violation Cases.
Other Articles of Interest:
- Arrests And Warrants In Colorado Probation Violation Cases – 16-11-205
- Successfully Defending A Colorado Probation Violation Charge
- Colorado Probation Revocation Violations Based On Drug Use -The Hot UA Problem
- Colorado Criminal Law – The Return Of Property Seized By The Police
- Denver Colorado Criminal Probation Violation Defense Attorney
