Haddon Heights Parole/Probation Violation Attorneys
Helmer, Conley & Kasselman, P.A. is an experienced criminal defense law firm located in Haddon Heights that protects the rights of our clients at every stage of the legal process, from arrest to disposition. We help inmates prepare for their parole hearing. We also negotiate fair terms of probation and protect the rights of parolees upon release.
Obtaining Parole
The New Jersey justice system allows inmates the opportunity for release upon serving a mandatory parole ineligibility period. For example, a person convicted of manslaughter must serve at least 85 percent of the sentence before appearing at a parole hearing. A lesser crime, such as shoplifting or drug possession, has a much shorter ineligibility period.
In making their decision, the parole panel hears evidence of your character, rehabilitation, likeliness to commit another crime and ability to live successfully outside of prison. Issues that work in your favor include your good conduct while incarcerated, rehabilitation and educational programs you attended, and steps you have taken to better yourself and the Haddon Heights community. The parole panel considers the seriousness of the original crime and its impact on the victims. They also consider how your release will affect your family and look positively upon strong community and family support.
Unfortunately, your attorney cannot attend this very important hearing. However, we can help you to prepare and to look your best by:
- Obtaining letters of support from family, friends, Haddon Heights community leaders, counselors and advisors
- Coaching you on presenting a compelling, honest, heartfelt statement to the board
- Submitting documentation to the board that supports our argument for early release
- Anticipating and countering potential backlash and resistance to your parole
Reasons Parolees are Violated
Some defendants consider probation more difficult than serving time. You are free, but the probation conditions are often arduous, sometimes virtually impossible to maintain. A violation can send you back to jail, a disheartening and devastating conclusion after you worked hard to move on with your life. Common probation violations include:
- Failing to report to your probation officer for your monthly appointments
- Failing to respond to your probation officer during random calls
- Being out past your designated curfew time
- Not paying the full amount of your fines and probation fees
- Moving to a new home without obtaining permission first
- Missing classes and programs ordered by the court
- Testing positive for drugs or alcohol
- Not maintaining employment in Haddon Heights or anywhere else in New Jersey
- Violating your stay away order or other injunction
- Not completing court-ordered community service
- Being arrested for another crime
- Violating any other term of the probation
You may receive a warning and an opportunity to correct the violation, depending upon how serious the violation is and whether you are a repeat offender or this is your first time. If your probation officer violates you, our lawyer can defend you against revocation.
We may request a probation violation hearing in order to present our defense to the court. These hearings are like mini-trials in which your lawyer presents evidence, witnesses and oral arguments to prove you did not violate the terms of your probation. However, the prosecutor must only prove you violated your probation by a preponderance of the evidence, a much lower standard than beyond a reasonable doubt required to convict you for the original crime. The judge may revoke your probation and order you back to jail, allow you to resume the terms of probation or alter the terms if your compliance is truly no longer feasible.
Consult with a Haddon Heights Probation and Parole Violation Attorney Today
Helmer, Conley & Kasselman, P.A. defends your rights at all stages of the criminal justice process. Contact our Haddon Heights office at 856-547-7888 or online to schedule a consultation with a parole violation attorney today.
