If you have been charged with a crime and are considering going on probation to resolve the charges against you, it is important to understand exactly what is involved. A lot of people leave the Courtroom uncertain about the rules and requirements of their probation, and so make a mistake that leads to a violation and revocation of their probation. This is truly tragic, because in most instances the violations can be avoided and the defendant given the benefit of the probation agreement made. Our job is to help walk you through the process, so you go into your probationary term fully prepared. A good way to start is to understand what probation involves, and also what probation does not involve.
Three things you should not expect while on probation are:
- That it will be a cake walk. That is not to say that all of the terms are going to be burdensome, but the reality is probation is still a form of punishment. So if you enter your probationary term with the idea that it will be “no big deal”, you are more likely to make a mistake.
- That it is an automatic get out of jail free card. While you do get to avoid jail time by agreeing to go on probation, one misstep can land you behind bars. So take your probation seriously, and you will be successful.
- That you can commit minor offenses and still remain on probation. One of the hallmarks of any term of probation is that the defendant remains “trouble free”. This includes getting tickets for traffic violations, or being arrested for a new crime.
We want you to be successful, so that you get the benefit of the bargain you made when negotiating your probation. In many cases the agreement calls for the defendant to do or refrain from doing certain things for a period of time, and at the end of that timeframe the charges are either dismissed or reduced. Let us help you make decisions that make sense, and that include terms you can handle. Call our office today for help with criminal defense, and to learn more about probation and probation violations.
If you questions about probation, contact an experienced criminal defense attorney in Stuart and the Treasure Coast for answers. Your first visit is a free consultation and we work with you to reach results that fit your needs.