Being placed on probation in Weld County is often a lifeline. It’s a chance to avoid jail or prison while you work toward getting your life back on track. But that opportunity can disappear quickly if your probation officer or the court believes you’ve violated your probation terms.
If you’ve been accused of a probation violation or face a revocation hearing in the Weld County Court in Greeley, you still have rights and you still have options. An experienced defense attorney can often prevent the worst outcomes and help you get back into compliance.
At O’Malley Law Office, we’ve helped clients across Weld County, including Greeley, Evans, Windsor, Frederick, Firestone, Erie, Fort Lupton, and Dacono, defend against probation revocation proceedings and protect their freedom. Here’s what you should know.
Greeley Probation Revocation Attorney: Understanding Probation in Weld County
Probation is a court-ordered period of supervised release that allows you to stay in the community rather than serve your full sentence in jail or prison. It’s managed locally by the Weld County Probation Department, with offices in Greeley and Longmont.
Probation can last anywhere from a few months to many years, depending on your case. During that time, you must follow all the conditions the judge set at sentencing.
Typical probation conditions include:
- Regular check-ins with your probation officer
- Staying law-abiding and avoiding new criminal charges
- Completing drug or alcohol testing
- Attending treatment or counseling
- Performing community service
- Paying restitution, court costs, or fines
- Avoiding certain people or locations
Even one missed appointment or a failed drug test can trigger a probation violation notice.
What Is a Probation Revocation in Weld County?
A probation revocation happens when your probation officer files a formal complaint with the Weld County District Court (or Weld County Court, for misdemeanors) alleging that you violated one or more conditions of your probation.
There are generally two types of violations:
- Technical Violations – Missing meetings, failing a drug test, not completing community service, or falling behind on payments.
- New Law Violations – Being arrested or charged with a new crime while on probation.
Even a technical violation can lead to serious consequences if not handled correctly.
The Probation Revocation Process in Weld County
If your probation officer believes you violated probation, the process typically follows these steps:
- Complaint and Arrest or Summons
Your probation officer files a Complaint to Revoke Probation, and the court may issue a summons or a warrant for your arrest.
- Advisement Hearing
You’ll appear before a Weld County judge in Greeley, who will inform you of the alleged violations and your legal rights. You have the right to an attorney at this stage.
- Revocation Hearing
If you deny the allegations, the court will set a probation revocation hearing. At this hearing, the prosecutor presents evidence of the violation, and your defense attorney can challenge that evidence, present witnesses, or offer proof that you are in compliance.
- Judge’s Decision
The judge decides whether a violation occurred and, if so, what the consequences should be.
Possible Outcomes After a Probation Violation in Greeley, Colorado
If the court finds that you violated probation, the judge has several options under Colorado law:
- Reinstate probation under the same conditions
- Modify probation (add new requirements such as counseling or more frequent check-ins)
- Extend probation for a longer period
- Impose a short jail sanction as a warning
- Revoke probation entirely and order you to serve your original jail or prison sentence
Your outcome will depend on the nature of the violation, your past compliance, and whether you’ve shown good faith in addressing the issue.
Why You Need a Weld County Probation Revocation Lawyer
Probation revocation hearings are serious and the stakes are high. Without proper representation, you could be taken into custody and required to serve the jail or prison time you originally avoided.
We’ve represented clients in Weld County District and County Courts for years. We know the local probation officers, judges, and prosecutors and we know how to present your case effectively to achieve the best possible result.
We’ll help you:
- Understand your rights and options
- Communicate with probation and the court
- Gather evidence of compliance or good faith
- Argue for reinstatement or modification instead of jail time
Our goal is to keep you out of custody and help you complete probation successfully.
If you or someone you love is facing a Probation Revocation, be smart, exercise your right to remain silent, and contact the best criminal defense attorneys from the O’Malley Law Office at 970-616-6009 to schedule a free initial consultation. Together, we can protect your future.
Photo by KATRIN BOLOVTSOVA