PITTSBURGH COUNTY PROBATION VIOLATION AND DETAINER MOTION ATTORNEY
DISCLAIMER FOR DETAINER MOTIONS - PLEASE READ CAREFULLY BEFORE CALLING
Due to an overwhelming number of calls we receive, our firm will only respond to serious inquiries for county probation detainers only. Please do not call our office until you have all necessary information, including the Defendant’s full name, date of birth, and docket numbers for the cases where detainers are lodged. You may lookup case information by visiting the Unified Judicial System Portal website.
Our minimum rate to prepare and file a detainer motion in Allegheny County is $750 and we do not offer payment plans on detainer motions. The actual rate quoted may be higher depending on the scope of work involved. We do not offer free jail visits to an Allegheny County Jail inmate, and reserve the right to quote a higher rate if jail visits are needed or requested.
Our firm does not guarantee any result or outcome on a detainer motion. The legal fees paid to the firm are non-refundable, whether or not the outcome is favorable or unfavorable. We cannot predict the success of a motion or how quickly a judge will rule on the motion.
TYPES OF PROBATION VIOLATIONS
If you have entered a guilty plea on a case for probation, you likely felt a sense of relief from the fair resolution of your case without jail time. This sense of relief can turn into a sense of dread if you are accused of violating conditions of your probation or parole. Depending on the circumstances, you may find yourself sitting in the county jail for weeks or even months while you wait for your probation violation hearing to be scheduled.
Examples of common technical and criminal conduct probation and parole violations include:
An arrest or conviction for new criminal charges while you were on probation or parole.
Failing a drug test.
Violating a "no contact" order.
Failing to pay restitution and court costs as required.
Failing to appear for a review hearing, or other court proceeding, as required.
Failing to report to your probation officer.
Failing to cooperate with your probation officer or case worker.
Violating other specialized conditions of probation, such as refraining from alcohol consumption, or failing to complete community service.
WHAT ARE THE TYPES OF PROBATION VIOLATION HEARINGS?
A Gagnon I hearing is a hearing to determine whether or not a person should be held in jail until the final violation hearing, or Gagnon II hearing is held. At a Gagnon II hearing, the sentencing judge determines what punishment to impose as a result of the violation. When a person violates a condition of his probation or parole, the sentence received as part of the plea agreement no longer applies, and the judge is free to set any sentence he or she wants, which could include extending probation, imposing house arrest or sentencing someone to county or state jail time.
WHAT IS A MOTION TO LIFT OR TRANSFER DETAINER?
If a person is being held in jail until their final violation hearing, the only way to seek their release from jail is to file a Motion to Lift or Transfer Detainer. In this motion, the attorney asks for the Judge to release someone from jail until their final Gagnon II hearing. In the motion, the attorney can request for the offender to be released to an alternative housing facility, on house arrest, or for a straight release to their home. The decision on whether to approve or deny the request is left up to the Judge who issued the detainer.
At ZLF, we believe that everyone deserves a second chance. The attorneys from the Zuckerman Law Firm have filed numerous post-sentencing motions, including Motions to Lift Detainer, Motions to Transfer Detainer, and Motions to Terminate Probation and Close Interest. For a free telephone consultation, please call 412-447-5580.