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The New Jersey criminal attorneys at Helmer, Conley, and Kasselman have been watching with interest as Lindsay Lohan's latest legal trouble has been unfolding in the news. When Lohan's Porsche rear-ended an 18-wheeler on the Pacific Coast Highway this June, Santa Monica law enforcement officials initially charged her with a misdemeanor. But because the former Parent Trap star is also facing charges in a jewelry theft, even a misdemeanor charge could mean serious trouble. A criminal charge could violate her probation, and send her back to jail for up to 245 days.
Lohan's legal trouble is compounded by a charge for lying to the police about the accident, New Jersey criminal attorneys report. Although several witnesses identified Lohan as the driver, she told the cops who brought her to the hospital that she was not behind the wheel when her Porsche hit the truck. Lohan almost faced drug charges as well when police found prescription pills in her purse and on the floor of her car, but after her lawyer produced a doctor's note, those charges were dropped.
Even without the drug charges, Lohan's prior record could escalate her misdemeanor charge and and her back in jail, New Jersey criminal lawyers say. New Jersey has similar statutes in place for those who violate their probation. A probation sentence usually bases ground rules on the original offense, such as community service or probation fees. But those on probation can be charged with a violation if they are caught in any new criminal activities. A probation officer determines the consequences of a violation—if the offense is serious, a judge may decide to dole out a harsher punishment in court.
With Lindsay Lohan's legal woes all over the news, the New Jersey criminal attorneys at Helmer, Conley, and Kasselman want to make sure that NJ residents understand how devastating a probation violation can be, and how to avoid compounding infractions during probationary periods. A probation violation can often turn a light sentence into a much more serious one. But a violation must be proven in court in order for a judge to impose a stricter sentence. Our experienced New Jersey criminal lawyers can determine how a compounded criminal charge may affect your probation sentence, and help you avoid harsher sentencing.
