Common Terms of Deferred Adjudication in Houston

 Posted on May 29, 2025 in Criminal Defense

If you have been accused of a criminal offense, requesting deferred adjudication can help to protect your future. This option allows you to avoid a conviction and jail time as long as you comply with certain terms, in a similar vein to getting released on probation. Depending on your case, the terms of deferred adjudication could be more lenient or strict. A Houston criminal defense lawyer can advise you on what to do during deferred adjudication and represent you if you are accused of violating the terms.

At Murphy & McKinney Law Firm, P.C., we have years of experience representing clients in intense criminal cases. If you have any questions about deferred adjudication, our firm can clarify what is expected of you from the court.

Attending Counseling and Staying Clean

For certain offenses involving drugs or alcohol, a judge may include certain restrictions regarding substance use. Specifically, you could be required to avoid taking drugs or alcohol altogether. You might also be ordered to stay away from certain people who enable substance abuse in your life.

Additionally, you may be required to attend counseling to treat a substance addiction. This may apply to crimes like driving while intoxicated (DWI) as well as charges involving drug possession or distribution. Keep in mind that if you fail to appear at court-ordered counseling, you could have a sentence entered against you. At Murphy & McKinney Law Firm, P.C., we can represent you at a hearing for an alleged violation.

Making Court Appearances and Checking In

As part of your deferred adjudication, you will likely have to check in with your probation officer on a regular basis. The point of these check-ins is to ensure that you are still following the court’s instructions by staying out of trouble. Missing one of these appointments could damage the court’s trust in you, so it is critical that you clear your schedule ahead of time to make it to these meetings.

You may also be summoned to court, though this is not true of every deferred adjudication. If you are requested to appear at a hearing, be sure to show up on time and communicate with the court well ahead of time if for some reason you cannot attend.

Community Service

When you petition for deferred adjudication, you are essentially admitting your guilt to the charge you have been accused of. While you may not be jailed during deferred adjudication, you may still have to participate in community service. The court will usually decide on the type of service as well as its duration.

Contact a Houston, TX Criminal Defense Lawyer

While deferred adjudication is often an ideal outcome for a criminal case, it may come with stringent requirements. A Houston, TX deferred adjudication attorney can look out for your rights during this process from the moment you have been charged with a crime. At Murphy & McKinney Law Firm, P.C., we can help you negotiate a plea bargain with fair, favorable terms.

Your case matters to us. To schedule an initial consultation with a skilled legal advocate today, call our offices at 713-229-8333.