Shreveport Probation and Parole Violation Defense Lawyer

What are the Conditions of Probation in Louisiana?

Probation in Louisiana often functions as an alternative to jail time, typically offered at the time of sentencing. This potentially allows individuals convicted of criminal offenses to avoid spending any of their sentence in jail. For this reason, probation is most often granted to those charged with less serious convictions, such as first-time or non-violent offenders.

To ensure public safety, the Louisiana Department of Corrections requires those on probation to follow specific rules. The specific conditions are set by a judge according to the severity of the crime that was committed. Under Louisiana law, potential conditions of probation for offenders are as follows:

• Haga un informe completo y veraz al final de cada mes.
• Cumplir con las responsabilidades familiares específicas, incluidas las obligaciones impuestas en una orden judicial de manutención infantil. 
• Preséntese ante el oficial de libertad condicional según las instrucciones.
• Permitir que el oficial de libertad condicional lo visite en su residencia o en otro lugar.
• Mantener un empleo u ocupación aprobados. 
• Abstenerse de poseer o poseer armas de fuego o armas peligrosas.
• Hacer una reparación o restitución razonable a la parte agraviada, si la hubiera, por cualquier daño o pérdida causada por el delito.
• Abstenerse de visitar lugares ilegales o de mala reputación o de asociarse con personas de mala reputación. 
• Permanecer en la jurisdicción especificada. Reciba el permiso del oficial de libertad condicional antes de realizar cualquier cambio de dirección o empleo.
• Participe en un programa de lectura aprobado si no puede leer el idioma inglés.
• Realizar el trabajo de servicio comunitario según lo ordene el tribunal. 
• Someterse a un examen o tratamiento médico, psiquiátrico, de salud mental o por abuso de sustancias cuando se le ordene.
• Cumplir con registros de personas, propiedad, lugar de residencia, vehículo o efectos personales en cualquier momento con sospecha razonable por parte del oficial de libertad condicional.

Failure to abide by any of these conditions can qualify as a probation violation. Probation officers responsible for the supervision of a defendant are authorized to arrest defendants under certain circumstances. If an officer has reasonable cause to believe that a violation has occurred or that the defendant is about to violate a condition, they can arrest the defendant without a warrant. Additionally, officers may arrest defendants in emergency situations that create undue risk to the public or the probationer.

Regardless of the type of violation, you will be held responsible via court-imposed penalties. If you have violated the terms of your probation, it is best to be honest with your probation officer. Your probation officer may be more inclined to give you a second chance if you show a commitment to addressing issues that lead to violations. For example, your probation officer may suggest alternative penalties, such as counseling or increased supervision, in place of the harsher possible consequences.

What is a Violation of Probation?

There are two categories of probation violations: technical and substantive. When an offender fails to comply with the conditions of their probation as determined by a judge, it counts as a technical probation violation. The most common types of technical violations include failing a drug or alcohol test, failing to report to the assigned probation officer, failing to pay required fines or restitution to the victim, or failing to complete community service requirements.

If an offender commits a new criminal offense within their probation period, it is a substantive probation violation. Both felony and misdemeanor criminal offenses qualify as substantive violations. This type of probation violation is considered more severe and warrants harsher penalties.

Is a Probation Violation a Felony?

The act of violating probation is not, in and of itself, a felony. The severity of the original crime and the nature of the violation determine the consequences a judge may impose. For example, if the offender’s original crime was a felony or if the violation involved committing a new felony, the penalties for probation violation will be harsher.

Louisiana Felony Probation Rules

Generally speaking, the conditions for probation in Louisiana are the same for felonies and misdemeanors. However, the judge will likely impose harsher conditions in cases involving felony crimes. Additionally, offenders convicted of felony crimes will likely face harsher penalties for violating probation.

Probation Violation Sentencing in Louisiana

Following a violation, the court will summon the defendant for a probation violation hearing. The Código de Procedimiento Penal de Luisiana (CCRP 900) establishes the penalties for offenders who violate their probation in Louisiana. If it has been proven that an individual was in violation of the terms of their probation, the court may impose any of the following punishments:

• Advertencia
• Incrementa tu supervisión
• Agregue condiciones adicionales a sus términos de libertad condicional existentes
• Centro de rehabilitación comunitario aprobado por la corte por hasta seis meses
• Revocación de la libertad condicional
  • Los infractores deben cumplir su sentencia suspendida, con o sin crédito por el tiempo de libertad condicional previamente cumplido. 
• Condena de hasta un año en un programa de encarcelamiento intensivo, después del cual el delincuente debe regresar a libertad condicional supervisada 
• Período de prueba extendido
• Sentencia de 15 a 90 días de cárcel
  • La sentencia depende del número de violaciones cometidas, si el delincuente fue condenado por un delito que no sea de violencia o ciertos delitos sexuales y si cometió una violación técnica de la libertad condicional. 

When determining the appropriate consequences for a probation violation, the court considers several factors, including but not limited to the nature of the violation, past criminal offenses, and whether there have been multiple violations.

Louisiana Probation Violation Jail Time

If a judge finds you in violation of your probation, you may be sentenced to prison time in one of two ways. First, you might serve a limited jail or prison sentence for the violation itself. Second, if the court decides to revoke probation altogether, you will have to serve a portion or the entirety of your original sentence.

Probation Violation 1st Offense Louisiana

Typically, technical probation violation does not result in revocation of probation. If jail time is imposed as a penalty for a first violation, it will be a ten-day sentence.

Substantive probation violations are much more likely to lead to revocation of probation, even for a first-time offense. In these cases, jail time will depend on the original sentencing, any credited time the defendant is granted towards that sentence, and any additional incarceration imposed by the court.

Multiple Probation Violations in Louisiana

Louisiana limits the sentencing of technical probation violations to ten days per violation y sixty days per year. For multiple substantive probation violations, the maximum possible jail time is considerably higher, given that the defendant is more likely to have their probation revoked. On top of the original sentence, the defendant may be required to serve additional time for the violations they have committed.