Motion To Revoke Probation
If you or someone you love was sentenced to probation or community supervision and you’ve recently found out that the State of Texas has filed a Motion to Revoke Probation or Motion to Enter an Adjudication of Guilt, it’s imperative that you talk to an experienced defense lawyer who can help you protect your freedom.
What Is a Motion to Revoke Probation?
A Motion to Revoke Probation (MTR) is a motion filed by the State of Texas against an individual who is sentenced to probation or community supervision. If the State successfully argues their motion, you could be sent to jail or prison.
Do I Really Need a Lawyer?
An MTR hearing is different from a standard hearing involving a criminal act. You have fewer rights as a defendant. You do not have the right to be judged by a jury of your trees. The State doesn’t have the same burden of proof as they do in a traditional trial. What you do have a right to in an MTR hearing is a vigorous defense. A south Texas Motion to Revoke Probation lawyer can help you by developing a strategic defense so that you have the best possible chance of not having your probation revoked.
Successful Motion to Revoke Probation Defense Cases
Arturo B.
The Defendant was on probation for obstruction of highway. The Defendant had an MTR filed against him because he did not the complete the classes as required, and he continued to test positive for alcohol on his ignition interlock device. After a hearing the Judge denied the States MTR and continued the Defendant on deferred adjudication
Eduardo E.
Defendant was on deferred adjudication for a DWI that was reduced to obstruction of highway. A motion to revoke was filed alleging violation of zero tolerance and positive UA’s for marijuana. After a hearing the Judge denied the State’s MTR and the Defendant’s Deferred Adjudication was continued. The defendant is eligible for record sealing.
Jon M.
Defendant was on Deferred Adjudication for possession of marijuana. An MTR was filed alleging positive UA’s, failure to complete community service hours, and failure to pay fines and costs. We reset MTR for many months during the reset period the Defendant completed all tasks and obtained from a private lab showing he was clean of marijuana. The MTR was denied and probation terminated. The defendant is eligible for record sealing.
Carlos D.
The defendant was facing an MTR on a DWI probation for consuming alcohol, failing to report and various other violations. After a brief hearing the MTR was denied, and probation was terminated.
Luciano R.
MTR of defendants DWI probation. Numerous violations of probation were alleged. The MTR was denied and the defendant was continued on probation.
Israel S.
Defendant was on probation for DWI over .15. An MTR was filed alleging consumption of alcohol and an ignition interlock reading of .12 and .35. The MTR was denied and the defendant was continued on probation.
Roberto B.
Defendant was on probation for a DWI but continued to consume alcohol. An MTR was filed. After a hearing the defendant was continued on probation.
Chevelle C.
The defendant was on probation for felony fraud when she was arrested and charged with felony possession of a controlled substance. Also an MTR was filed because of the new drug charge. We were able to get the new felony drug case dismissed and she was continued on probation.
Damen S.
The defendant was on probation for DWI that was reduced to an obstruction of a highway. As a condition of probation, the defendant was required to have an ignition interlock. We were contacted by the defendant because he had a positive blow on his ignition interlock and he knew a warrant would be coming out. We turned the defendant in and wrote his bond. We were able to get the defendant bonded out in 1 hour and have his MTR denied.
Veronica C.
We were hired to represent the defendant on her 3rd Felony MTR. We were able to get the MTR denied and have the probation terminated.
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I Have a Misdemeanor. How Will a Motion to Revoke Probation Hurt Me?
Although a misdemeanor is considered the least serious of criminal acts, that doesn’t mean that a Motion to Revoke Probation hearing is something you can take lightly. You can still have your probation or community service revoked and be put in jail.
How Can a San Antonio Criminal Defense Lawyer Help?
In addition to implementing the best possible defense for your circumstances, a San Antonio Motion to Revoke Probation lawyer can help you argue that other options are better than revoking your probation. Other options that you may qualify for instead of jail or prison time include an extension of the time that you’re on probation, additional fines, court ordered counseling, attending a “boot camp” program, and substance abuse counseling. Terminating your probation means that you get put behind bars and you may not have access to the help that you really need.
What Are the Most Common Violations That Cause an MTR?
The most common reasons that MTRs are issued in south Texas are:
- You’re being accused of committing another offense
- You were arrested and didn’t tell your probation officer within 48 hours
- Your probation officer says you failed a drug test
- Your probation officer says you didn’t report in
- You’re being accused of not completing your community service
- You’re being accused of not taking or finishing court ordered drug / DWI classes
There’s a Warrant Out for My Arrest. What Should I Do?
If a Motion to Revoke Probation is filed against you, a warrant will be issued for your arrest. Call our south Texas Motion to Revoke Probation lawyer so that we can get started on your defense. We can fight for you to be granted bond and help defend you during the hearing. We provide free consultations.
Threatened With a Motion To Revoke Probation? Get An Experienced San Antonio Criminal Defense Lawyer To Fight For You!
The San Antonio criminal defense lawyers at Rush & Gransee have represented individuals in motion to revoke hearings (MTRs) in all of the criminal courts in Bexar County as well as many counties throughout Texas. The attorneys at Rush & Gransee will develop a strategic defensive plan based upon your specific circumstances to get you the best result possible.
If you believe that a motion to revoke your probation is going to be filed or has been filed contact us immediately. Do not wait until you are arrested. If we are contacted while the MTR is pending but prior to arrest, we can often suggest ways in which you can limit to some extent your downside risk. We will often walk into court with our clients to turn them in to the court when a motion to revoke probation is pending. This shows the court some good faith on your part, indicating that you are not fleeing, and more importantly it increases the odds that we will be able to get a reasonable bond set.
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You will nearly always get a bond on a motion to revoke when you are on deferred adjudication. If you are on regular probation and you turn yourself into the court with a lawyer, the court will normally set a bond immediately and you will get out quickly. However, if you wait until you are arrested and you are on regular probation, many courts will instruct the sheriff to remand you without bond. This will result in your incarceration until a lawyer can convince the judge to set a bond.
It is absolutely necessary that you report to your probation officer even after a positive urinalysis, new arrest, failing to pay fees or any of the other reasons that MTRs are filed. Failing to report to probation is an independent reason for an motion to revoke probation to be issued and failing to report is very easy for the state to prove. If you do report to your probation officer, it is important that you realize that admitting to committing a new crime or using drugs or alcohol will be treated as any admission and can be used against you at the hearing.
If you believe that you have a motion to revoke probation and do not want to appear at your scheduled hearing because you fear that you will be arrested and there will be no bond set, contact the criminal law lawyers at Rush & Gransee, and we can check the your warrant status and arrange to turn you into the court.
The motion to revoke will be filed in the papers with the court. The motion to revoke is a formal document setting out exactly when, where, and how probation was allegedly violated. The motion to revoke will be reviewed by your lawyer to determine whether there are any possible defenses and whether the state is going to be able to prove the allegations. One defense that is often overlooked is when the state fails to file the motion to revoke with the court and have the warrant issued prior to the term of probation expiring. Also, the inability to pay is a defense for failing to pay court costs etc.; however, you need to provide evidence of the inability to pay and not just make a bald assertion. There are other defenses to a motion to revoke that need to be evaluated in each case and presented forcefully.
Every defendant’s motion to revoke is different and each has to be evaluated based upon the facts, the defendant’s circumstances, and what the prosecutor or judge is offering in the negotiation process. Sometimes, setting the MTR for a contested hearing will force the prosecutor to review his or her position resulting in a much better offer. In other circumstances, it is advantageous to obtain numerous continuances so that a defendant can complete whatever the probation officer alleges is deficient. Upon completion of any deficiency such as courses or community service hours, it may be possible to get the MTR withdrawn or if a hearing is necessary it is likely the judge will look more favorably on the defendant if all the probationer’s requirements have been met.
In a recent case, we represented a defendant who was on felony deferred adjudication for a drug case and a motion to revoke probation was issued based upon a new drug charge. We set the MTR for a contested hearing and filed numerous motions contesting the arrest and search of the defendant and his apartment. Ultimately, the state agreed to dismiss the new felony charge and continue the defendant on deferred adjudication as long as the defendant spent a few days in the county jail while on work release. This saved the client from a felony indictment on a new criminal case as well as potentially having his deferred adjudication being revoked.
Contact Rush & Gransee if you want experienced representation in defending you or a loved in a motion to revoke probation.
