Common Ways You Could Violate Probation and the Consequences You Face

Common Violations of Probation

There are a variety of ways that you could violate the terms of your probation, and understanding what is considered a violation can help you avoid not complying with the terms of your sentence. Common probation violations include:

• Missing appointment with a probation officer. If you are on supervised probation, you will be required to meet with your probation officer on a regular schedule set by him. If you miss an appointment, this is considered a probation violation, and your probation officer could report this to the court.
• Missing a court hearing. The judge may require you to attend further court hearings after a specified period of time to review your progress. If you fail to attend the court hearing, this would be a blatant and severe violation of your probation.
• Failing to pay fines or restitution. Depending on the crime that you are convicted of committing, the judge could require you to pay fines or restitution to the victim. If you fail to pay the fines and restitution on the payment schedule set by the judge, you could be charged with a new offense for violating your probation.
• Not completing community service. If you are sentenced to community service, you will be required to complete a set number of hours of service within a given period of time. Failing to do so would constitute a probation violation.
• Visiting certain places or people. A special term of your probation could be to stay away from certain people or places associated with criminal activity. For example, if you were a member of a gang, you could be prohibited from communicating with gang members. You do not want to be caught at these locations or with these people.
• Not being employed. You could be required to obtain a job or enroll in school as a term of probation. If you fail to do so, you would be violating your probation.
• Committing another crime. A basic term of probation is that you cannot commit another crime while you are on probation. Even a minor traffic violation could be considered a probation violation.

Consequences You Could Face for Violating Probation

If you are found in violation of probation, you will be required to attend another court hearing to determine if you, in fact, violated the conditions of your probation and face further consequences. The judge could impose these sentences:

• Continue your probation under the same terms
• Modify your probation and order you to comply with additional requirements
• Extend your probation for up to five years
• Terminate the probation without further conditions
• Find you in contempt and order you to serve a jail sentence of up to 30 days
• Revoke your probation and require you to serve a jail or prison sentence

Talk To An Attorney Today