Blog Post

Defending Yourself Against Unintentional Probation Violations

  • By Admin
  • 21 Sep, 2017
Probation — Law Court in Savannah, GA
Most probationary periods require the individual to follow specific rules that were established because of the crime they were found guilty of committing. The individual must also avoid breaking any additional laws during this period of time. In some cases, there could be severe consequences for violating the conditions of probation even if they were unintentional.  

Learn the common probation mistakes and how to avoid them.

Common Probation Mistakes

While there are some rules governing probation that will be no-brainers to avoid, some may be less obvious. Ones that are commonly violated include:

  • Failing to get permission from the probation officer before leaving the state. 
  • Missing a scheduled meeting with a probation officer due to an illness or a family emergency and forgetting to contact the probation officer immediately.      
  • Not following court orders to avoid associating with specific people. This may include having any contact on the phone or online as well as in person.                                  
  • Failing to complete all community service or victim restitution payments as ordered by the court.                                     
  • Committing any type of crime — even traffic offenses like speeding or using a mobile phone while driving — while on probation.                       
  • Consuming any non-prescribed drugs or alcohol. It may even be a violation to simply enter a bar, nightclub or other establishment that sells alcohol. 
It is possible that anyone committing these seemingly minor issues could have their probation revoked and end up serving the remainder of their time in jail. In some instances, the violation may even earn them additional jail time. It is possible that a first offense may only result in a warning, but it is never a good idea to rely on that hope and willingly break the rules.

Watch for Technicalities

It is very easy to innocently commit more than one violation. For example, if someone travels out of state to visit their family for the holidays, the excitement of the trip may cause them to forget to contact their probation officer for permission and to reschedule an appointment. They may then be stopped for speeding along the way and receive a ticket. This single incident would then include three violations.

Understand the Risks

If a judge decides the offense was done willfully or is serious enough, probation will normally be revoked. This could mean being sent to jail to serve the entire original sentence with additional time added. Once they are out of jail, the probationary period may start over again to enable the individual to meet the conditions of their release.

Get Legal Help

Court proceedings are always complicated and confusing. This confusion can make it easy to say the wrong thing or to present yourself inaccurately before a judge. Having an attorney will help you avoid the risk of making simple mistakes and will ensure that your rights are respected. It will reduce the odds of your probation being revoked.

If the hearing has passed and probation was already revoked due to repeated offenses or serious violations, help may still be possible. Meeting with an attorney and explaining the circumstances of the violation and how the situation has changed since the revocation is important. Professional legal guidance will make getting a second chance much easier.

Probation programs were established to help prevent overcrowding in jails and to allow non-dangerous offenders the opportunity to stay employed and keep their life on track. Most court systems do not want to send people that are trying to succeed back to jail.

The law firm of Donaldson & Bell Attorneys at Law understands that mistakes happen and sometimes people are completely unaware of their violations. They provide the court with a clear explanation of why a small misunderstanding should not derail someone after months of hard work. Contact them to schedule a consultation before your revocation hearing.
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In the state of Georgia, for example, there are specific reasons a couple may qualify for a marriage annulment. An annulment is only an option in specific situations, so you may or may not be able to obtain a legal annulment. Here is a look at three of the reasons you may be able to file for an annulment in the state of Georgia.
By Admin 29 Nov, 2017
When you hear the words personal injury accident, your mind might jump automatically to car collisions and truck accidents. But slip and fall accidents are nearly as common as car accidents, and believe it or not, they can often result in similarly devastating injuries, especially if the fall causes a concussion or spinal injury.

Below, we'll help you get familiar with slip and fall accidents, including what injuries they cause and what to do if you experience a slip and fall personal injury.

1. Slip and Fall Injuries Can Be Severe

Slipping and falling might paint a comical, cartoonish image in your head, but a serious fall isn't a laughing matter. Some common slip and fall injuries include:

  • Head injuries, including concussions
  • Spinal cord injuries, including broken backs
  • Broken, sprained, or fractured bones
  • Fractured hips
Fractured hips from falls are primarily a problem for the elderly, who may have osteoporosis or other conditions that make them more prone to broken bones. However, slips and falls can happen to people of any age, and depending on where and how you fall, you could experience severe injuries regardless of how old or young you are.

Slip and fall injuries can even result in fatalities, especially if you slip and fall on the job. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that 11 percent of worksite fatalities for men and 5 percent of worksite fatalities for women directly resulted from slips and falls.

2. Slip and Fall Injuries Can Happen Year-Round

Slip and fall injuries are most commonly associated with winter, and for good reason — property owners who fail to clear snow and ice away from their walkways or dry up water from heavy rainstorms create very dangerous hazards for all of their patrons. However, slips and falls can also be caused by things like spilled water in the kitchen or grocery store aisle, uneven sidewalks, or trip hazards like loose extension cords.

While it's important to be on your guard during the winter season and take safety precautions like wearing boots with dependable treads, remember that just because the sun is out doesn't mean you're entirely free of potential slip and fall threats.

3. Property Owners Aren't Always Liable for Slips and Falls

Like all other types of personal injury suits, slip and fall cases rest on the victim's ability to demonstrate that another person's negligent behavior caused their injury. In the case of a slip and fall, the victim would have to prove that another person — usually a property owner — was aware of a hazard and failed to take the necessary measures to protect visitors, customers, or houseguests from that hazard.

However, the property owner likely won't be held liable for your slip and fall injury if:

  • You were trespassing at the time of the accident.
  • You ignored slip and fall signage posted around the hazardous area.
  • You were behaving dangerously when the accident occurred.
If you were obeying all rules at the time of the accident and behaving responsibly, and if the property owner was aware of the slip and fall hazard and did nothing to address it, you have a higher chance of winning your suit after a slip and fall injury.

4. A Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help

If you were injured on another person's property when you slipped and fell, get in touch with a personal injury lawyer today. Your lawyer will assess your case and use evidence like medical records, accident reports, and eyewitness accounts to show that the negligent party is liable for your accident and should cover any medical expenses.

Are you in the Savannah area? Donaldson & Bell Attorneys at Law are here to support you after your slip and fall accident. Get in touch online to schedule your initial consultation today.
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Many states, including Georgia, recognize that even though a drunk driver is mostly responsible for the accidents they cause, other parties directly contribute. Bars, clubs, restaurants and other vendors who serve alcohol can influence who they choose to serve and how much patrons drink. Social hosts for private parties can also sometimes be partially liable for accidents.

As such, there are a series of laws commonly referred to as "dram shop laws" or "social host liability laws" that help to define whether or not a business, vendor or host is liable for the injuries caused by a drunk driver. Here's what you need to know about how these laws can affect your personal injury case.
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