Colorado Springs Criminal Law Blog

As discussed in last week’s article, in order to avoid the consequences of violating Colorado probation, it is necessary to understand the system. It is not the basic principles of Colorado probation that would cause the most confusion for offenders, however, but the specific rules for the particular types of Colorado probation.

There are multiple probation programs in Colorado, some much more intensive than others in their required conditions. In addition to regular adult/juvenile probation, there are various intensive offender programs for high-risk offenders that meet certain criteria. The intensive programs provide specialized assessments, electronic monitoring, educational assessments, offense-specific treatment, literacy and employment programs, and cognitive training. Daily contact with the offender, curfews, home visits, and increased levels of drug testing are common conditions for these intensive programs:

• Adult Intensive Supervision Probation (AISP);
• Juvenile Intensive Supervision Probation (JISP);
• Female Offender Program (FOP); and
• Sex Offender Intensive Supervision Probation (SOISP).

Other probation programs include:

• Private Probation – for lower risk offenders; and
• Alcohol and Drug Driving Safety (ADDS) – for higher risk DUI and DWAI offenders.

In 2010, 23,482 adult and juvenile offenders were sentenced to a state or private Colorado probation program. Of this number, 3,758 offenders had their probation revoked for a technical violation, new misdemeanor, or new felony. Oftentimes, technical violations of Colorado probation are unintended and are the result of confusion concerning the terms and conditions. If probation is revoked, an offender may be re-sentenced to probation, community corrections, jail, or prison.

Regardless of intent or type of violation, if you have violated your probation, a skilled Colorado Springs probation violation defense lawyer at The Bussey Law Firm, P.C., can provide you with the legal representation you need to avoid excessive penalties. Please call us immediately for a free initial consultation at 719-475-2555.

As an experienced Colorado probation violation attorney at The Bussey Law Firm, P.C., Timothy Bussey understands the complexities of Colorado probation and its various programs. Mr. Bussey also knows that it can be very difficult and confusing to keep track of the conditions of these programs. Many people assigned to probation commit violations without realizing it because they are not aware of or do not understand the conditions of their particular program. In order to avoid penalties for unintended probation violations, it is essential to understand the Colorado probation system. This is the first of a two-part article that will cover the basics of Colorado probation as well as the types of probation programs and their conditions.

The Colorado Judicial Department authorizes and oversees both juvenile and adult probation in Colorado’s 22 judicial districts, including 23 probation departments in more than 50 probation locations across the state. Generally, if a person is convicted of a crime in Colorado, they may be sentenced to probation, community corrections, jail, prison or to the Division of Youth Corrections if the person is a juvenile. A probation order is given by the Court after an adult offender pleads, or is found guilty of a felony or misdemeanor criminal charge. The terms and conditions of probation that the offender must abide by are also set by the Court.

Colorado probation may be supervised or unsupervised. Adults who are “low-risk” offenders may not have supervision conditions in the terms of their probation. Those adult offenders that do require supervised probation are required by law to pay a supervision fee of $50 per month. Other fees or fines may also be required as one of the probation conditions. The appointed probation officer would make any scheduling arrangements for the payment of Colorado probation fees.

The conditions of probation can be extensive and complicated. Although some conditions may be obvious, such as being required to obey the law, others can be very specific and pertain to the individual offender. If you have been sentenced to probation in Colorado, it is imperative that you understand the terms of your probation so that you can abide by them.

Please check back next week for the second of this two-part series where we will be discussing the different types of Colorado probation programs.

The Colorado Springs probation violation attorneys at the Colorado criminal defense law firm of The Bussey Law Firm, P.C. are pleased to announce the launch of their new Colorado probation violation website, http://www.coloradospringsprobationviolationattorneys.com/.

The new Colorado probation violation website offers visitors helpful information on the basics of Colorado probation, including its definition as well as general terms and conditions. Visitors may also easily navigate through specific pages on probation violation topics such as community service, consequences, failure to appear, failure to pay fines, felony violation, new offense violation, penalties, probation education, probation hearing, revocation of probation, technical violation, and violation of probation. The website also allows access to The Bussey Law Firm, P.C.’s Criminal Law Information Center, FAQ Video Resource Center, and DUI Information Center.

There are varying degrees of Colorado probation violations and penalties. The consequences a person faces after a probation violation are dependent on the violation itself, as well as the person’s criminal history. The new website provides a clear and thorough explanation of how the courts generally handle probation violations and what the usual penalties are, but speaking with one of our experienced Colorado probation violation attorneys would ensure understanding of how the court will handle your probation violation.

Because Colorado courts have wide discretion over the issuing of probation violation penalties, it can be very difficult for a person on Colorado probation to know what consequences they face or even when they are in violation of their probation. This new site provides the informational resources a person needs to understand Colorado probation laws as well as what legal options may be available to them in the event of a Colorado probation violation. Being well informed is the first step to resolving your situation.

For more information on Colorado probation violations, visit http://www.coloradospringsprobationviolationattorneys.com/. To speak to one of our skilled Colorado probation violation attorneys at The Bussey Law Firm, P.C., concerning your particular situation, please call us today for a no-cost consultation at 719-475-2555.