Deferred Adjudication
Fort Bend County Deferred Adjudication Lawyer
Individualsin a criminal case may have more options than they realize. The possibility of securing delayed judgment and a better chance at a fresh start might be one of those options. The possibility of deferred adjudication exists under certain circumstances and the Law Office of Annie Scott can advise their clients on whether this may be doable for them.
Our Fort Bend County deferred adjudication lawyer understands how the system works from both the prosecutor’s side and as a defense attorney for over 12 years. Call the Sugar Land office today at (281) 466-4118 or contact us online to set up a free consultation. Calls answered 24 hours a day/7 days a week by a live person.
How Deferred Adjudication Works
Deferred adjudication applies when the sentence an individual faces is essentially put on hold. Instead of applying the sentence, a Texas judge may instead issue terms of behavior that an individual must follow while living outside of prison. If the individual follows these terms for the length of the sentence, justice can be considered served without prison time.
Is Deferred Adjudication the Same as Probation?
The concepts are similar, but they are not exactly the same. Under both probation and deferred adjudication, an individual that receives probation gets to live their life outside of prison and has terms and conditions that must be observed. But where these two concepts part is in what happens after the sentence is complete.
A individual who receives probation will have the charges remain a part of their permanent record. It will follow them as they seek to rebuild their life with employment and housing. Deferred adjudication offers something better–there is the possibility–although not the guarantee–of getting a non-disclosure of the case from the record.
The length of deferred adjudication terms will, like other sentences, depend on the nature of the crime and the prior record of the individual. The typical length in Texas ranges up to 10 years. It’s possible that a Fort Bend County deferred adjudication lawyer can work with the judge on how long the terms and conditions will apply.
The Law Office of Annie Scott can advise on eligibility for deferred adjudication and work towards the goal of securing favorable terms. Call us at (281) 466-4118 or contact us online to set up a free consultation. Calls answered 24 hours a day/7 days a week by a live person.
Recent Wins
View Our CASE RESULTS
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Controlled Substance Possession Dismissed 2021
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Violence 3 year Deferred Adjudication/Overall Dismissed 2
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Drug Possession Dismissed 2021
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Assault Dismissed 2021
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Other Misdemeanor Dismissed 2021
Eligibility for Deferred Adjudication in Texas
Not all criminal charges can be considered for deferred adjudication. The state of Texas only offers this option in circumstances where the crime is non-violent in nature. The non-violent charge can also not be a companion to one that is violent. For example, if an individual is charged with non-violent theft, that may be eligible for deferred adjudication. But if they are also charged with assault, then the possibility of deferred adjudication on the theft charge is also eliminated.
Deferred adjudication is also a one-time opportunity. A individual who has lived under these terms before–even if the sentence was completed successfully–is not eligible the second time through.
Furthermore, there are risks to accepting a deferred adjudication agreement. The consequences for violating the terms will typically be more severe than the consequences that come from probation violations. The beneficial nature of deferred adjudication’s terms means the state of Texas often comes down harder when those terms are violated. Defendants, under the guidance of their attorney, should be confident that they can live out the terms of a deferred adjudication agreement.
Even in acknowledging the potential risks and the eligibility parameters, deferred adjudication may well be the best possible option for accused. In situations where the District Attorney’s office has produced evidence that is likely to sway a jury, deferred adjudication might be preferable to taking one’s chances at trial. The prosecutors, with heavy caseloads and resource limits, might be amenable to this type of agreement even on cases they think they can win in court. An experienced Fort Bend County deferred adjudication lawyer, one who understands all the factors that go into these agreements, is in a good position to fight for their client’s rights, freedom, and future.
The Law Office of Annie Scott was founded over 12 years ago precisely because our founding partner, Attorney Annie Scott, had the kind of wide-ranging experience that she believed could benefit accused. Attorney Scott worked in the D.A.'s office, gaining an understanding of all factors that are considered in weighing deferred adjudication and everything also associated with how prosecutors approach a case. In private practice, she wanted to use that knowledge to help individualsget the fair treatment and second chance that our system is meant to offer.
Call the Sugar Land office today at (281) 466-4118 or contact us online to set up a free consultation.
