Perhaps you committed a crime for the first time and were sentenced to probation as a result. At the time, you were just glad to not have to spend any time in jail. What you didn’t realize, though, is that the court system takes probation violations very seriously.
In this post, we want to spend some time not only discussing the most common probation violations, but also the consequences you could face for failing to comply with the terms of your sentence.
Five common probation violations
- Failing to meet with your probation officer – Chattanooga residents on supervised probation are required by the court to regularly meet with their probation officer. Even one missed appointment could be considered a violation.
- Failing a drug test/sobriety test – The last thing you want to do is continue using drugs or drinking alcohol while on probation. All it takes is one failed drug/sobriety test to be in hot water with your probation officer.
- Failing to serve community service hours – Maybe part of your sentencing also includes a community service requirement. However, if you fail to complete the set number of service hours within a given duration, you could have your probation revoked and be faced with more serious consequences.
- Leaving the restricted area outlined in the conditions of your probation – Let’s say you were convicted of drug usage and the judge ordered you to stay away from certain people associated with criminal activity. Should you brush off this requirement for whatever reason and wind up getting caught, you will be in a world of trouble.
- Committing another crime – You’d be surprised by the number of people who commit another crime despite the fact that they’re on probation. Needless to say, being convicted of another crime, regardless of the severity, will put you back in court.
Consequences for violating probation
It’s never a good idea to violate your probation. Here are just a few of the sentences the judge could impose.
- Continue your probation for up to five years under the same terms
- Change the conditions of your probation and order you to follow through with additional requirements
- Revoke your probation and require you to serve a jail sentence of up to 30 days
CONTACT A PROBATION VIOLATION LAWYER
Though there are times when it may seem stressful and inconvenient, probation is meant to help you get your life back on track without having to go to jail. However, should you fail to stay in accordance with your probation for whatever reason, you need a dependable legal advocate by your side.
This is where the law firm of Cavett, Abbott & Weiss comes into play. We have more than 60 years of combined experience defending the rights of Chattanooga residents and we can help you during one of the most difficult times of your life.
There’s no time to sit back and wait when you’ve realized you violated probation. The sooner you contact the law office of Cavett, Abbott & Weiss, the sooner we can go to work on your behalf.
Don’t make the mistake of hiring just any defense attorney in Chattanooga! Get in touch with an experienced probation violation lawyer today.