If you have been accused of violating your probation in Dallas or anywhere in North Texas, the situation is serious and the window to act is narrow. A probation violation allegation can result in your probation being revoked, sending you back to jail or prison to serve the remainder of your original sentence. At The Goolsby Law Firm, our Dallas probation violation attorney works quickly to protect your rights and fight for the best possible outcome.

In Texas, probation — formally called community supervision — comes with a set of conditions the court requires you to follow. These conditions may include regular check-ins with a probation officer, drug and alcohol testing, maintaining employment, completing community service hours, paying fines and fees, and avoiding any new criminal charges.

A probation violation occurs when you fail to comply with one or more of those conditions. Violations are divided into two categories:

• Technical violations — Failing to meet a condition of probation, such as missing an appointment with your probation officer, failing a drug test, not completing community service, or falling behind on fees.
• New offense violations — Being arrested for or charged with a new crime while on probation. This is treated as one of the most serious types of violations and almost always results in a motion to revoke.

When your probation officer believes you have violated a condition of your supervision, they can file a report with the court. The court may then issue a warrant for your arrest. Once you are in custody, you will be held without bond in most cases while the court determines whether your probation should be revoked.

Unlike a criminal trial, a probation revocation hearing does not require the prosecution to prove the violation beyond a reasonable doubt. The burden is lower — a preponderance of the evidence — which makes these proceedings more challenging to defend without experienced legal representation.

If the court finds that you violated your probation, it has several options:

• Continue your probation with the same conditions
• Modify your probation with stricter terms
• Extend the length of your probation
• Revoke your probation entirely and sentence you to serve your original jail or prison time

Many people mistakenly believe that a probation violation is a minor matter that they can handle on their own or explain away at the hearing. That assumption can be costly. Probation revocation hearings move quickly, and the stakes are high — you could be looking at months or years in custody.

Having an experienced Dallas probation violation attorney on your side can make a real difference. At The Goolsby Law Firm, attorney Mike Goolsby is a former prosecutor who understands how the state builds its case in revocation proceedings. That experience gives him insight into where the arguments are weak and what defenses may be available to you.

Depending on the circumstances, it may be possible to negotiate a resolution that keeps you out of jail, get a technical violation dismissed due to procedural issues, challenge the evidence supporting the alleged violation, or request a modification of your probation terms instead of full revocation.

Depending on the original offense and the terms set by the court, Texas probation conditions often include:

• Regular meetings with your probation officer
• Random or scheduled drug and alcohol testing
• Completion of community service hours
• Enrollment in or completion of educational, treatment, or counseling programs
• Payment of fines, court costs, and supervision fees
• Restrictions on travel outside the county or state
• Prohibition on possessing firearms
• No contact with certain individuals or locations
• Maintaining stable employment or enrollment in school

Violating any of these conditions — even unintentionally — can trigger a revocation proceeding. If you have received notice of a potential violation or a warrant has been issued, do not wait to speak with an attorney.

The Goolsby Law Firm represents clients facing probation violation allegations in Dallas County, Denton County, Tarrant County, Collin County, and surrounding jurisdictions throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. Whether your case is in Dallas, Plano, Fort Worth, Arlington, Irving, or another North Texas city, we are here to help.

If you are also facing new criminal charges along with a probation violation, our firm can handle both matters. We regularly represent clients charged with DWI, assault, and drug offenses who are simultaneously dealing with revocation proceedings.

Can I be arrested immediately for a probation violation?
Yes. A probation violation can result in a warrant being issued for your arrest. In many cases you will be held without bond until the revocation hearing.

Is the standard of proof different in a revocation hearing?
Yes. The prosecution only needs to prove the violation by a preponderance of the evidence, not beyond a reasonable doubt. This makes having an attorney even more critical.

What if the violation was a technical issue and not a new crime?
Technical violations can still lead to revocation, but there is often more room to negotiate. An attorney may be able to present mitigating circumstances or negotiate a modification of terms instead of revocation.

Can I get off probation early in Texas?
In some cases, yes. If you have completed a significant portion of your probation and met your obligations, your attorney may be able to petition the court for early termination.

Facing a probation violation in Dallas? The sooner you contact an attorney, the more options you may have. Call The Goolsby Law Firm at (972) 394-2141 for a free consultation. Former prosecutor Mike Goolsby understands how these cases work — and how to fight them.