Founder of the Fort Myers Chapter of the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
Probation Matters
Our firm does not just handle probation violations. We don’t want you to violate in the first place, so call us right away if you need help. Whether you are having an issue with your probation officer, or you have questions about what to do, or you wish to terminate the probation early for good behavior, we handle things timely and with an eye towards making things better.
Probation Violation Consequences
Probation violation is an offense that occurs when you break the terms or conditions of your probation. The consequences associated with probation violation usually depend on a variety of factors, such as the nature and seriousness of the violation, whether you have any prior violations, and whether there are other circumstances that may lessen (or worsen) the severity of the situation. A probation violation may result in significant penalties, such as heavy fines, extended probation, jail time, or more.
How Probation is Violated
Probation violation laws vary among the states and are governed by federal and state law. Generally, a probation violation occurs when you ignore, avoid, refuse, or otherwise break the terms or conditions of your probation at any time during the probation period. Probation typically runs from one to three years, but may also last for several years depending on the original offense.
Probation may be violated in many different ways. Circumstances that may lead to a probation violation include:
- Not appearing during a scheduled court appearance on a set date and time
- Not reporting to your probation officer at the scheduled time or place
- Not paying any required fines or restitutions (to victims) as ordered by a court
- Visiting certain people or places, or traveling out of state without the permission of your probation officer
- Possessing, using, or selling illegal drugs
- Committing other crimes or offenses
- Getting arrested for another offense, regardless of whether criminal or not
When Probation is Violated - What Happens Next?
Warning or request to appear in court
There is no set rule as to what happens immediately after a probation violation is reported. Sometimes, probation officers have broad discretion to issue a warning or to ask the judge to require you to appear in court for a probation violation hearing. In deciding, a probation officer may consider the severity and type of condition violated, past probation violations or warnings, and other considerations. However, oftentimes, the judge will sign a warrant for your arrest with a no-bond hold.
Determination of probation violation
During a probation hearing, a sentencing judge will hear your case to consider whether you violated any terms or conditions of your probation. The prosecuting attorney will need to prove a violation occurred by a "preponderance of the evidence" standard, or by a likelihood of more than 50 percent. Factors a judge might consider include the nature, type, and seriousness of the violation claimed, as well as a history of prior probation violations and other aggregating aggravating or mitigating circumstances. If we have a violation of probation hearing, we will endeavor to have the judge understand your side of the events.
Sentencing
If you are found guilty of probation violation, sentencing will occur shortly after the probation hearing, at which time the court may extend your probation, impose additional probation terms, order you serve a brief time in jail, or revoke your probation altogether and require you to serve out any remaining time of your original sentence in prison. If you are found to have committed probation violations, the court will basically re-sentence you on the original crime.
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