Progress reviews involve checking to see that you are completing the terms of your probation.
For many misdemeanor (less serious) California crimes, you may be offered the opportunity to avoid jail or prison by being sentenced to probation instead. Probation is a period of time during which a person who has been convicted of a crime is subject to either formal or informal supervision. During that time, the person has to comply with the terms of probation, which vary from person to person and are generally related to the facts of the criminal offense. Probation terms often include requirements such as abstaining from drugs and alcohol, performing community service, paying restitution, and attending counseling.
In some cases, the judge may order you to demonstrate that you are making an effort to complete your probation terms. This involves you attending court for a progress review hearing. If a judge orders a progress review hearing, you are required to attend. Otherwise, the judge could issue a bench warrant for your arrest, and your probation could be revoked for violating your probation. Generally, it is a good idea to have a criminal defense lawyer Orange County, CA there to represent you for these hearings.
To understand why it is smart to have an attorney with you at a progress review hearing, it helps to know more about probation — and what happens at progress review hearings. Probation is a form of alternative sentencing. In other words, it is an alternative to going to jail, offered to people who the court believes are well-suited to being on probation rather than going to jail — often people with minimal criminal history or who have committed low level offense. If a person violates the conditions of probation, however, or fails to complete the required terms, then the judge can revoke probation and impose a jail or prison sentence.
At a progress review hearing, the judge will be checking to see what you did to complete the terms of your probation, such as paying restitution, doing community service, or going to counseling. If you haven’t been able to complete those requirements, perhaps because of a family emergency or a conflict with your work schedule, the judge could revoke your probation and send you to jail. Having a criminal defense lawyer Orange County, CA may help you avoid that. Your attorney can speak to the judge on your behalf so that he or she understands that you are making a good faith effort to complete your probation terms. Your criminal defense lawyer Orange County, CA can also request that your probation requirements be changed so that you can complete them successfully.
A progress review hearing can be intimidating, but with the assistance of a skilled attorney, you will be able to walk into the court with confidence. A seasoned criminal defense lawyer Orange County, CA can give you peace of mind as you head into a progress review hearing — and can help you throughout the criminal justice process.
If you have been charged with a crime, the Chambers Law Firm is here to help. Contact us today at 714-760-4088 or dchambers@clfca.com to schedule a free initial consultation.
