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Are you facing a felony charge or dealing with a felony probation issue in Phoenix, Arizona? Orent Law Offices, PLC can help determine whether probation may be an option in your case. Contact us at (480) 656-7301 today to schedule a free case evaluation with a Phoenix felony probation lawyer and discuss your situation.
A felony conviction does not always result in a prison sentence. Depending on the offense, your criminal history, and other circumstances, you may be eligible for probation. However, eligibility does not guarantee that a judge will grant it, and an alleged violation can put your continued probation at risk.
When your freedom and future are at stake in Phoenix, AZ, experience matters. Orent Law Offices, PLC focuses exclusively on criminal defense, giving Attorney Craig Orent decades of experience handling cases involving Arizona criminal law, felony charges, and the potential consequences of a conviction.
Clients who choose our Phoenix criminal defense lawyer benefit from:
Attorney Orent brings this experience to each case, whether a client is facing felony charges, sentencing, or an alleged probation violation. Contact the firm today to schedule a free case evaluation with a Phoenix criminal defense attorney.
Felony probation is a sentencing option that allows an eligible defendant to remain in the community under court supervision rather than serve a sentence in state prison. Under A.R.S. § 13-901, a court may suspend the imposition or execution of a sentence and place an eligible defendant on supervised, unsupervised, or intensive probation.
Probation is not the same as having a felony charge dismissed. The defendant must follow the terms imposed by the court, which can restrict where they go, what they do, and require them to complete specific programs or other obligations. In some cases, a judge can also order county jail time as a condition of probation.
Not every person convicted of a felony in Phoenix is eligible for probation. Arizona law makes probation available for some offenses while requiring prison sentences or otherwise restricting probation for others. Whether it is an option depends on the specific conviction and the sentencing laws that apply.
Factors that may affect whether probation is available include:
Even when someone is legally eligible for probation, the court is not necessarily required to grant it. The judge can consider the circumstances of the case and information presented at sentencing when determining the appropriate sentence.
Felony probation in Arizona can last several years, and there is no single probation term that applies to every felony case. State law establishes different maximum periods based primarily on the classification of the offense. The court determines the probation term within the applicable legal limits when probation is imposed.
Typically, probation may continue for up to:
These are not universal limits for every felony. Arizona law provides different probation periods for certain offenses. For example, aggravated DUI probation may continue for up to 10 years, while probation for certain specified felony offenses may extend up to and including life when probation is available.
A probation term can also be extended in certain circumstances. If restitution remains unpaid, for example, the court may extend felony probation for up to five additional years.
The conditions of felony probation vary from case to case. Arizona law requires probation conditions to be individually determined and reasonably necessary to help the defendant lead a law-abiding life, protect public safety, and promote rehabilitation.
Depending on the circumstances, conditions may include:
The court can impose conditions required by law as well as other appropriate conditions. Failing to follow those requirements can result in probation violation proceedings.
A felony probation violation can lead to additional court proceedings and more restrictive consequences. Violations can include failing to comply with a specific condition of probation or committing another offense while under supervision. The consequences will depend on the nature of the violation, the circumstances surrounding it, and the court’s response.
Depending on the circumstances, a probation violation proceeding may result in the court taking actions such as:
A violation does not automatically result in revocation. The court will consider the alleged violation before deciding how to proceed. If probation is revoked, however, you may face a prison sentence when permitted under the sentencing laws that apply to the underlying offense.
Orent Law Offices, PLC represents clients facing felony charges, sentencing, and probation violations in Phoenix, AZ. Felony probation may provide an alternative to prison for eligible defendants, but it comes with court-ordered conditions, and violations can put your probation at risk.
Attorney Craig Orent has more than 34 years of criminal defense experience and has handled thousands of misdemeanor and felony cases. Contact the firm today to schedule a free case evaluation with our Phoenix felony probation attorney.
