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Adult Probation

Probation as a sentence in Texas consists of one of two different kinds of community supervision: regular or deferred adjudication.

In the Texas criminal system, deferred adjudication is a type of probationary sentence whereby you are not formally convicted of a crime. Your plea in such a case is not immediately “adjudicated”. Instead it is “deferred” until your probation is successfully completed. At that time the charges against you are dismissed. Deferred adjudication is better than regular probation because it is not technically a felony. Further, successful deferred adjudication can possibly be sealed and made a non-public record.

Still, no type of probation is easy. While being placed on felony probation may be vastly preferable to a prison sentence, it should never be taken lightly. Once you are on probation, it is crucial to obey the conditions of and show respect for the probation officer. If you do so, the chances are good that you may become eligible for an early discharge.

Are there consequences to violating probation?

The court has a variety of sanctions for violating probation, including revocation. A court can issue a warrant for a probationer’s arrest and place them in jail pending a hearing on the motion to revoke. In felony cases, those warrants are issued without bond. Unless your attorney can persuade a judge to set a bond, the probationer will sit in jail until the case is heard.

Viktor Olavson has experience in handling many hundreds of probation cases, including revocations, modification of probation conditions, and early discharges.