Many offenders often take advantage of probation. Some don’t take punishments and probation terms and conditions seriously or choose not to follow them, resulting in a probation violation.
On the other hand, many offenders don’t understand the terms of their probation, ultimately leading to missed appointments with a probation officer, and violating probation.
The state of Florida takes probation violations and probation itself very seriously. If you’ve been convicted of a crime and receive a probation sentence, there are still rules and regulations you have to follow. If you are charged with violating probation, then you need Jacksonville probation violation lawyers.
If you have violated your probation, not only do you risk having your probation revoked altogether, but there may be a warrant put out for your arrest.
A probation officer considers violating a probation sentence in two ways: a technical violation and a substantive violation. What is the difference between the two?
- A “technical” violation is failing to report to an appointment with your probation officer or avoiding or refusing to pay required fines.
- A “substantive” violation is being charged with another crime while serving your current probation sentence.
If you violate your probation, then additional conditions may be added to your current probation terms.
Under the Florida Department of Corrections, some additional conditions can include:
Extended probation sentence – This could mean several additional months or even several years added onto your probation sentence. In some cases, probation may be revoked altogether and you may serve prison time instead.
Community Control – Involves strict supervision of an offender by a probation officer. Offenders may also be restricted to a residential setting and officer surveillance.
Community Control II – This form of supervision involves continuous, 24/7 supervision and surveillance.
Strict supervision and treatment plans – This condition is typically for sex offenders or dirt offenders currently serving probation sentences. This type of probation condition also requires offenders to provide regular blood samples and random drug tests to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.