While probation offers a criminal defendant a second chance, a probation violation report filed against someone in Calcasieu Parish can move faster than most people expect. The terms of probation are strict, a minor misstep can lead to a probation violation and severe consequences. One report from your probation officer can result in an arrest warrant, immediate detention without bond, and a revocation hearing before a judge who has broad discretion to send you to jail — sometimes within days.
You do not have to face that hearing alone. Jacob Colonna has represented clients at probation revocation hearings in Calcasieu Parish for over 17 years. Call (337) 656-3212 for a free 30-minute consultation today.
How Jacob Colonna Defends Probation Violation Cases
A probation violation hearing is a serious legal proceeding where your freedom is on the line. Navigating this process without experienced legal counsel significantly increases your risk of being sent to jail or prison. A probation revocation hearing is not the same as a criminal trial. The state only needs to prove a violation occurred by a preponderance of the evidence — meaning “more likely than not.” That lower burden makes aggressive, immediate legal representation more critical, not less. My defense strategy focuses on three things:
Contesting the alleged violation.
Not every violation report is accurate. Probation officers make mistakes, documentation is sometimes incomplete, and the facts of a technical violation are often more ambiguous than they appear on paper. I will examine the evidence the state intends to use and challenge what doesn’t hold up.
Negotiating alternatives to revocation.
Louisiana judges have significant discretion at revocation hearings. Under Louisiana Code of Criminal Procedure Articles 899 and 900, a judge can reinstate probation, modify conditions, impose administrative sanctions, order treatment, or extend supervision rather than sending you back to jail. Jacob Colonna has a deep understanding, from 17 years of experience, knowing how to develop strategy to navigate these various options.
Protecting your rights throughout the process.
You have the right to be present, present evidence, call witnesses, and be represented by counsel at your revocation hearing. I will make sure those rights are exercised fully. And, more importantly, I know when it’s best to advise someone to demand a hearing or negotiation and avoid demanding a hearing that would hurt someone facing a probation violation.
Understanding your local court is essential to defend probation violations.
Since judges have wide discretion in probation violations, knowing the judges becomes absolutely crucial for a lawyer defending probation violations. I know the judges in the 14th JDC personally, and I know how to present your case in a way that opens those alternatives. I have experience with every judge in the 14th JDC and know what factors each judge focuses on, and how they prefer to resolve probation violations.
For a detailed explanation of Louisiana’s probation violation laws, the revocation process, and your rights at every stage, read our comprehensive guide: Understanding Probation Violation Laws in Louisiana.
Probation Violations We Handle in Lake Charles
I represent clients facing both categories of probation violations in Louisiana:
Technical violations
Missed appointments, failed drug tests, unpaid fines, unauthorized travel, failure to complete community service or treatment programs. Examples also include failure to pay restitution with a theft crime.
Substantive violations
New criminal charges while on probation, firearms possession, domestic battery, violation of a protective order, or absconding from supervision. For clients facing either type, the time to act is before the revocation hearing — not after.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do immediately if I’ve been accused of a probation violation in Louisiana?
Contact an attorney before your next court date. Do not contact your probation officer to explain or negotiate without legal counsel. Anything you say can be used at your revocation hearing.
How much does a probation violation attorney cost in Lake Charles?
The cost of hiring a private defense attorney for a probation violation in Lake Charles depends on the complexity of the motion, the severity of the underlying backup time, and whether you face technical or substantive allegations. Different factors are in play, such as the severity of the new criminal claim, and the amount of time being backed up, the allegations of the violation. At Colonna Law Firm LLC, we review these unique case dynamics during a completely free 30-minute initial consultation. If your violation stems from a separate, new arrest, you would also need to retain an attorney for that new criminal representation.
What if my probation violation involves a new criminal charge?
When a probation violation involves a new criminal charge in Southwest Louisiana, it triggers two entirely separate, simultaneous legal proceedings: the new substantive criminal case and the probation revocation hearing. Both legal tracks must be managed strategically because an adverse finding in one can severely impact the defense of the other. Attorney Jacob Colonna manages both concurrent tracks to protect your constitutional rights in the 14th Judicial District Court.
Do I have to have a probation violation hearing?
No. However, forcing a probation violation hearing is your last resort and raises the risks for the accused dramatically. If a case is weak, an experienced probation violation attorney should be able to convince the prosecutor of the weakness prior to a hearing. A dismissal without a hearing reduces risk to the accused to zero. However, sometimes the case is not weak, and in only those cases should a defendant require a hearing. The stronger a case is, the less likely a prosecutor will dismiss the probation violation, which means you need a probation violation attorney with experience in handling hearings and negotiating settlements and dismissals.
Should I go with a public defender for my probation violation?
This is a personal decision, and I do not criticize the Public Defender’s Office of Calcasieu Parish. However, the reality of having a public defender is that your public defender will have case overload and communication will be very difficult, with immediate responses being almost impossible. Jacob Colonna aims to respond to inquiries from defendants or their family within a business day, and he actively communicates with his clients who are incarcerated facing probation violation holds. While I cannot guarantee results, I can discuss what Colonna Law Firm, LLC will provide as part of the representation that a public defender will not be able to, due to no fault of their own.
Contact a Lake Charles Probation Violation Attorney Today
Jacob Colonna has represented defendants in probation violations in Lake Charles, Sulphur, Jennings, Deridder, and Cameron. I have over 17 years of courtroom experience across all stages of criminal defense in Louisiana. Jacob Colonna has been recognized by Lawyers of Distinction (2023) and ranked as the best Criminal Justice Attorney in Lake Charles by BusinessRate 2026, powered by Google Reviews.
If you or a family member is facing a probation revocation in Lake Charles or Southwest Louisiana, you do not have to navigate this process alone. Contact Jacob Colonna at Colonna Law Firm LLC in Lake Charles at (337) 656-3212 today to schedule a completely free, 30-minute confidential consultation to discuss your rights with an experienced probation violation attorney.
Last Reviewed: May 2026 | Legal content reviewed by E. Jacob Colonna, Attorney at Law