It may be possible to get your probation terminated early . Under some circumstances, our Philadelphia criminal defense lawyers may request a court hearing to ask that they terminate your supervision early. This might be necessary for your work, schooling, or other obligations. We can help you develop a strong argument for early termination and present the evidence to the judge.
The process necessary to terminate your supervision will depend on the court that handed down the sentence . There is a set process in both U.S. and local courts.
You can request early termination of your supervised release under very specific circumstances. These may include the following:
If you meet these criteria, our defense lawyers may petition the court to ask them to terminate your probation. If you have completed at least half of your sentence of supervised release , you can approach your probation officer about your options. In some circumstances, you can ask a court to allow termination earlier, but you should consult an attorney before speaking to your probation officer. It often strengthens your argument for termination if you have completed the required conditions of your supervision like treatment and/or community service. The Court may also consider whether you have paid off your fines, costs, and/or restitution.
Under 42 Pa. C.S. § 9771 , state and local courts have the power to terminate probation or alter the conditions of your supervision at any time. This process also requires requesting a change through the court. You will want an attorney well-versed in this process to represent you.
Supervision is often required after release from jail or prison, or it is given instead of time behind bars. It often lasts several years and requires the party to fulfill various conditions before it ends.
Judges are unlikely to grant an early termination request without a strong reason why it must happen and is needed now. Good reasons could be related to your work, education, or family. Our criminal defense firm can help you develop a robust argument to support your request.
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You can get off probation early by showing the court that you are putting forth effort and have made progress during your supervised release. Here are a few ways that you can do this:
Telling a compelling story about your character, recent actions, and why you need early termination of your sentence will be crucial. You will want to work closely with our defense attorneys to ensure you present the strongest argument possible.
First, the court will likely examine how long you served on your supervised release. Then, they will consider your progress toward the goals set for this period. While each case is different, this often includes:
In many cases, people build strong relationships with their probation officers. Their support in these cases helps the court decide in your favor. At the very least, they can testify that you reported as required and submitted to the necessary testing and other components of the program.
We can present other evidence to show your efforts and character. This may include involvement in your community, success at work or school, and other positive information about your current life and activities. Our defense law firm may also seek the agreement of the office that prosecuted you if you have been a model probationer.
The process necessary to terminate supervision early is not complex. If you qualify, we will file a motion with the court, and the court will schedule a hearing for the motion. At this hearing, our legal team can present the evidence and ask the court to end your supervised release term.
However, just because this process is straightforward does not mean it is easy to get the court’s approval. In general, judges issue the sentences they do for a reason. If they sentenced you to three years of supervised release, they expect you to continue to report to your probation officer, avoid re-arrest, and live according to the rules of your supervised release during this entire term.
Your chances hinge on many of the factors already discussed, including:
The court generally needs to see a very good reason for making a change to your probation sentence. The evidence our criminal defense lawyers present to show your progress and the compelling reason for terminating your supervision are key.
Our probation termination attorneys are very familiar with this process, so we are a good resource to rely on when you need to end your supervised release early. Our legal team:
Lastly, we can support you as you go through the process of probation termination. Seeking to change your probation term can be technically and emotionally complex. It may help to know that you have legal representation helping you with every step.
If you are in the greater Philadelphia area and have questions about terminating your supervised release early, call the Law Offices of M.J. Snyder, LLC. Our team represents clients at all stages of the criminal justice process, from immediately after their arrest through to their community supervision.
We offer free consultations . You can discuss your options and next steps with our team today at no cost . We will assess your desire to end supervision early and determine if we believe it might be possible in your case. We know how this process works and help clients manage these requests regularly. Contact our smart, aggressive team today to learn more. We can often get started right away.
Marni Jo Snyder was my criminal defense lawyer. She successfully presented my case and won. Due to her zealous advocacy I was rightfully found not guilty. She was dependable and trustworthy. I always received very timely responses from her in correspondence. Marni Jo Snyder is down-to-earth and is always approachable. I would suggest anyone seeking a criminal defense attorney to contact her.
