Legally Reviewed by Shazam Kianpour on June 22, 2026
Too often, we get calls from people who are being violated by their probation officer and now need a probation violation defense attorney in Denver. Don’t take a probation violation lightly. Probation officers can act as master manipulators, telling you what you want to hear face-to-face and reporting something entirely different to the judge. If your probation officer files to revoke your probation in Colorado, you have specific rights that need to be protected, and handling the violation correctly can be the difference between staying out of custody and going to jail or prison.
At Shazam Kianpour & Associates, P.C., our Denver probation violation lawyers defend clients across Arapahoe, Douglas, Adams, Jefferson, Boulder, and other Colorado counties. With more than 22 years of criminal defense experience, a dual prosecution and defense background, and over 10,000 cases handled, we know how Colorado courts and probation officers approach revocation hearings and where there is room to push back.
⚠ Time-Sensitive — Revocation Hearing Scheduled Quickly
Probation violation alleged in Colorado? You have a right to a hearing within 15 days, but missing a court date or check-in triggers a bench warrant and can land you in custody pending hearing. Talk to a defense lawyer immediately.
22+ years of criminal defense experience. Dual prosecution and defense background. 10,000+ criminal cases handled. Same-day appointments and 24/7 availability.
Whether you failed a drug test or went out of town without the permission of your probation officer, having an attorney to act as an intermediary between you and the district attorney’s office can mean the difference between jail and another chance.
The first step in avoiding a bad outcome is to rehabilitate and comply with the terms of your probation immediately.
If you feel that you have been cited with a violation unfairly, you do have a right to a hearing in front of a judge.
However, these hearings are based on a “preponderance” standard, meaning that the DA only has to establish that you are more than likely (51 percent) guilty.
Well, first and foremost, you have a right to a hearing within 15 days. If you have been put in jail on a no-bond hold, or if you just cannot afford to post your bail, you should not waive your right to a hearing until you have spoken with us and made sure you know what is happening.
If a family member is in jail and you want a probation violation defense attorney to go and speak with them, we can do it for a nominal fee.
Secondly, you have a right to see what your probation officer has written about you and to make the probation officer testify under oath so that your criminal lawyer can cross-examine the officer about how you have performed on probation. We see a lot of officers write outrageous reports about our clients, but then when we force them to take the stand and testify, they downplay their claims and start backpedaling or changing their story under oath.
Third, even if you got a “Hot UA” or missed a couple of appointments, all is not lost. Most judges look to see if you have been mostly compliant with your requirements (this is called “substantial compliance” and is a tricky subject). Some probation officers ask way too much of their probationers and know you cannot finish everything because you do not have enough money for classes, or because you could not get out of work in time to come and take your drug test. If what your probation officer asks of you is unreasonable or unrealistic, we can complain to the court and ask the judge to modify your requirements.
We are probation violation defense attorneys serving Denver County, Jefferson County, Douglas County, Adams County, and clients all over the state of Colorado. We will make sure that you know your rights, and we will fight for the judge and the prosecutor to see that you are trying your very best.
There are two basic ways your probation can be violated: the first is due to “technical” violations; the second is due to “substantive” violations.
Technical violations are violations like missing an appointment, not finishing classes or community service, or testing positive on a drug or alcohol test. Even though they are called technical violations, they are very serious and can land you in jail or prison just as easily as a substantive violation. Generally, you are seen as “noncompliant” by the court if even one requirement on your probation list is not finished.
The second kind of violation is called a substantive violation, where your probation officer says that you should be violated or revoked on probation in Colorado because you “caught a new criminal case.” These types of violations are considered more serious because not only do you have to face the penalties of the case you were on probation for, but you may also have more penalties due to the new case that you were just charged with.
The key to substantive violations is that if the state wants to revoke your probation on the old case, it has to prove you guilty “beyond a reasonable doubt” on the new case. We understand that this can get very confusing, and we ask you to protect your rights by calling a qualified probation violation attorney in Denver today.
The most common way for the state to show you have violated your probation in Colorado is to go to a hearing on the case. Most judges will believe your probation officer’s testimony over your testimony. You do not have a right to a jury on a probation violation hearing in Colorado. The Colorado Judicial Branch’s probation FAQ outlines how the court determines whether a violation has occurred and what the possible outcomes are if probation is revoked.
In order to prove that your probation should be revoked on this first kind of technical violation, the state needs to show that you violated conditions set by the court or by your PO and that you could have complied if you had actually tried harder.
The second way to violate you is to prove you guilty of the new crime that you were charged with. Proving you guilty of the new crime is a “violation by operation of law.” These are very confusing legal terms even to some lawyers, but not to us.
At Shazam Kianpour & Associates, P.C., we have successfully defended probation violations in Gilpin County, Adams County, Arapahoe County, and many other counties in Colorado. Some of the probation violations we have defended are:
The list goes on and on. With more than 22 years of criminal defense experience, our law firm has defended nearly every conceivable probation violation all over Colorado.
We have helped our clients show that they have been trying their best, and oftentimes the judge allows our clients to have their probation reinstated with no additional jail time.
We care for you, and we take pride in our hard work. Let us prove to you why we are considered some of the premier probation violation defense lawyers in Colorado. With more than 22 years of criminal defense experience, a dual prosecution and defense background, and over 10,000 cases handled, our team understands how Colorado courts approach revocation proceedings and where there is room to argue for you.
From your first appearance through the revocation hearing and any related plea negotiations, we will walk you through each step and make sure your rights are not violated. Reach out through our contact form to schedule your free consultation, and we will move quickly to protect what matters most.
At a revocation hearing, a Colorado judge reviews the alleged violation, hears testimony from your probation officer and any other witnesses, and decides whether you violated a condition of probation. You have the right to be present, to be represented by counsel, to cross-examine the probation officer, and to present evidence and witnesses on your behalf. If the judge finds a violation, the possible outcomes range from reinstating probation with no additional sanctions, to modifying the terms (adding conditions, extending the term, requiring inpatient treatment), to fully revoking probation and imposing the original suspended sentence (jail or prison).
For technical violations (missing a check-in, failing a drug test, not completing classes, leaving the state without permission), the district attorney only has to prove the violation by a preponderance of the evidence — meaning more likely than not, roughly 51 percent. This is a much lower standard than the beyond-a-reasonable-doubt standard required for new criminal charges. For substantive violations (a new criminal offense committed while on probation), the prosecution must prove the underlying new crime beyond a reasonable doubt for that part of the case. There is no right to a jury in a probation revocation hearing.
All is not lost. Most Colorado judges look at whether you have been substantially compliant overall, not whether you have been perfect. Document why you missed the check-in or failed the test (work schedule, illness, transportation problems, prescription medication that triggered a false positive). Avoid contacting your probation officer to argue about it; instead, talk to a defense lawyer first so we can present the explanation in the right forum. If your probation officer’s expectations are unreasonable given your work and financial situation, we can ask the court to modify the conditions.
Yes, often. Even after a violation is proven, Colorado judges have broad discretion in deciding what to do. We routinely secure outcomes where probation is reinstated with no additional jail time, sometimes with modified conditions (additional treatment, more frequent testing, extended probation term) instead of revocation. The likelihood of reinstatement depends on the nature of the violation, your overall compliance history, your employment, your family obligations, and how effectively your defense team presents your case to the judge.
Probation violations do not have an independent statute of limitations like new criminal charges do. A revocation complaint can be filed any time before the probation term expires, and a properly filed complaint can be heard even after the probation period would have ended (the court retains jurisdiction over the open complaint). The urgency comes from the speed of the revocation process, not from a long-tail deadline. Failing to respond to a probation officer’s complaint or a court summons quickly triggers a bench warrant, and you can be held in custody pending hearing.
Probation violation defense fees vary based on the nature of the underlying case, whether the violation is technical or substantive, and whether a contested revocation hearing is required. Routine technical violations can often be resolved relatively quickly, while substantive violations involving new criminal charges require defense against both the new case and the revocation, and run substantially higher. At Shazam Kianpour & Associates, P.C., we offer free initial consultations so you can understand your options and our fee structure before you commit, and we offer payment plans for clients who need them.
