When you are on probation, you must follow the conditions outlined in your sentence. If you violate these conditions, you could face harsh consequences. If you have broken your probation conditions, contact an attorney experienced in felony violation of probation in Fort Pierce to help you retain your freedom and protect your rights. Let our dedicated criminal defense attorneys review your case and explain your legal options during a free consultation.

Reasons Why Probation Violation Occurs So Frequently

Whether you are sentenced solely to probation or whether you are on probation after serving a prison sentence, you must obey all of the “conditions” of your probation. Unfortunately, it can be challenging to adhere to many of these conditions, especially when they are extremely strict or difficult to follow. Probation conditions often require people to attend regular mandatory meetings, pay fines, avoid or abstain from drinking alcohol, observe a strict curfew, and perform a specified number of community service hours. Violations of probation conditions occur for many reasons.

Lack of Time

Sometimes, people feel unable to follow probation terms while managing a job and family life because they simply lack time. Probation terms can interfere with their job. For example, a community service commitment might make it difficult to schedule work hours, leading someone to ignore their mandatory community service to earn a wage and support their family.

Financial Hardship

Probation can be expensive. Paying regular fines and fees can cost a person money, forcing them to choose between supporting their family and paying probation fees.

Drug or Alcohol Consumption

Some people find it difficult to abstain from alcohol and drugs. As a condition of probation, they might need to undergo regular testing. A positive test could lead to a probation violation.

Conviction of a New Crime

A person will likely violate their probation terms if convicted of another crime during their probation period. 

Associating With Certain People

Some probation conditions forbid a person from contacting certain individuals, such as the other party in a domestic violence case. If the person on probation approaches someone they must avoid, they could violate their probation.

Unintentional Violation

At other times, a person might violate probation due to a mistake, such as accidentally missing a mandatory meeting with their probation officer because of oversleeping or a flat tire. Another example occurs when someone miscalculates how long it takes to return home and misses their curfew as a result.

Regardless of how or why an alleged violation of probation felony occurs, a Fort Pierce attorney from our firm could help by examining the facts of the situation and devising the best possible defense strategy.

Possible Penalties for Violating Probation

A violation of probation will result in severe penalties, including: 

  • Fines
  • Prison
  • Counseling
  • County jail time
  • Restitution to victims
  • Stricter probation terms
  • Community service hours
  • Behavioral modification classes
  • An extension to the probationary period

The worst-case scenario could be a revocation of an individual’s probation, which could result in the Court sentencing you to the maximum amount of time to which you could have been sentenced at the time of the initial sentencing. A knowledgeable local lawyer could work to minimize the possible penalties. 

Speak With a Fort Pierce Lawyer About Breach of Probation Offenses

If you are on probation, it is important to follow the conditions set out in your sentence, because felony violation of probation in Fort Pierce could have serious consequences. Contact an experienced local lawyer from Jonathan Jay Kirschner, Esq., & Associates today to help you devise a strong defense strategy, protect your rights, and retain your freedom.