Risk Factors

SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF DEFERRED PROCEEDINGS 

The following list of factors should be considered and assessed before a client seeks deferred proceedings on crimes. Too many times attorneys do not properly assess a client's chances for successfully completing deferred proceedings before seeking it. If a client fails probation, i.e., violates probation and is subsequently convicted of the violation, the judge commonly will revoke deferred proceedings and a conviction will enter—often it will be a felony conviction. Consequently, attorneys should consider and assess the following risk factors BEFORE seeking deferred proceedings.

• Mental-health issues

  • Bi-Polar

  • Depession, ADHD, etc.

  • On medications for mental-health issues

  • Not on medications for mental-health issues

• Drug/alcohol use and abuse

  • Used illicit drugs in the past 6 months

• Prior criminal record

• Violated probation in past

• Education

  • Dropped out or expelled from high school

  • No GED

• Unemployed and not in school

• Age 21 or under

• Suspended driver's license

  • Dependent on public transportation or others for travel

• College student living on campus (parties attended where alcohol and illicit drugs present)