Many criminal cases are resolved by placing the defendant on probation. It is important to remember that probation is not a “get out of jail free” card, is not a “pass” on punishment, and is not to be taken lightly. Probation is a form of punishment reserved for cases where the prosecution and court believe the offender is nonviolent and the interests of society are better served by allowing the accused to continue as a productive member of society rather than sitting in a jail cell. That said, and while those on probation are fortunate enough to have some degree of freedom, the rules must still be followed. Failure to abide by the terms of your probation will land you in hot water, and likely in jail.
It is the job of the probation officer to keep track of the defendant, and report any deficiencies in the probationary term. To this end, a zero tolerance policy has been put in place. The policy requires the following:
- Probation officers are required to report every probation violation, no matter how insignificant or minor.
● New criminal charges must be reported, as well as technical violations.
A technical violation is something like missing a meeting with your probation officer, staying out beyond curfew, or failing to attend court ordered counseling or rehab. It may seem a small thing to skip an appointment or two, but your probation officer is duty bound to report the action as a violation of probation. The thought is that implementation of a zero tolerance policy for people on probation will result in a safe community, and a more efficient probation system. The problem is that some defendant may not be aware their actions constitute a violation. To avoid falling into this trap, call a knowledgeable criminal defense attorney and learn the do’s and don’ts of probation.
If you have been charged with a new crime while on probation, a technical violation of your probationary terms, or simply want to know the specifics of what you can and cannot do while on probation, call a competent criminal defense attorney in Stuart and the Treasure Coast for help. We offer aggressive representation for criminal charges. Call us today to schedule an appointment.