If you are a first-time offender or if you accept a plea agreement, the judge may place you on probation. You may avoid jail time but being on probation means you must adhere to the terms decided by the court.
Breaking these terms could lead to more penalties. The court determines these penalties based on the severity of your action and whether this is your first violation.
What is a violation?
There are a number of ways that someone can violate their probation. Your probation terms may be different depending on the initial crime you committed and the state you live in. Generally, violating your probation may include:
- Failing to meet with your probation officer
- Missing a court-ordered appearance
- Forgetting to pay any court fees
- Travelling out of state without permission
- Being found guilty of committing a criminal offense
What are the consequences of violating probation?
Violating any of the terms of your probation could lead to the revocation of your probation status. If your violation was not serious, you may need to do additional community service, attend rehab or have your probation period extended. If your violation was more serious, the court may force you to pay hefty fines. If the judge revokes your probation status you could face jail time based on your original sentence.
Violating your probation should not be taken lightly. You could face serious penalties, including jail time. The law around probation can be confusing as it varies from state to state. If you have violated your probation terms and you are worried about having it revoked, you may way to speak with a knowledgeable criminal defense attorney.
