If you have formal probation, you need to regularly update your status with your probation officer. Plus, you will have things the court requires you to do, depending on your case. When you don’t do everything needed or break one of the rules, you violate probation. Several things can happen to you if you break the terms of agreement for your sentence. Therefore, you need to know what violations are and what their consequences are.
How Can You Violate Probation?
Your case will differ from others in the specifics of what happens to cause you to violate probation. One example would be failing to meet with your probation officer when scheduled or not passing a drug test. The judge will dictate the exact rules that you must follow, and your probation officer will remind you of those. Even if you don’t do anything illegal, you can still violate the rules of your probation.
What Happens When You Violate Probation?
If you break any of the probation rules, you are in violation. There are several things that can happen after a violation, depending on the severity of the infraction. For very minor infractions, your probation officer may impose informal sanctions. These sanctions do not typically get reported to a judge unless you fail to comply with them. They may include reporting more frequently, getting tested more often, doing more community service hours, or entering into a rehab program.
You likely will need to see a judge for serious probation violations. During this hearing, you should have a defender with you to help you through the process and possibly improve your outcome.
Outcomes of a Probation Violation Hearing
A probation violation hearing is a serious event. The judge will examine the circumstances of the violation and can do one of three things:
- Decide that no violation took place and let you finish your original probation
- Indicate that you were in violation and change the terms of the probation, which may include longer time or a fine
- Remove your probation and send you to jail
If you face a probation violation hearing, don’t go to it alone. Get advice from a qualified California legal professional.
Contact The Law Office of Steven K. Bloom So You Don’t Go Through the Legal System Without a Defender
Partner with a legal expert who can help you post-conviction with your probation issues or other parts of your case. If you’re in Orange County, work with The Law Office of Steven K. Bloom to find a partner in criminal defense who will work hard for you. Let us know the details of your case through our secure contact form or phone us to see how we can help you.
Sources
https://www.courts.ca.gov/1269.htm
https://ocprobation.ocgov.com/sites/ocpr/files/import/data/files/42901.pdf
https://skbesq.com/post-conviction/
