Tampa, Florida Probation Violation Attorneys
Violating the terms of your probation can negatively impact your criminal record, your freedom, and your chances for parole if you are sent back prison. When determining whether or not to send you back to prison, the court may consider extenuating circumstances and whether you knowingly and intentionally violated the terms of your probation.
At the Busciglio & Sheridan Law Group, our attorneys understand how judges and prosecutors think when it comes to certain kinds of probation violations. As former prosecutors, we understand how to position certain facts and tell your side of the story, especially when violations are unintentional in nature. While illness, alcohol addiction, or job loss are not excuses to violate your probation, they may convince the court to recommend counseling or additional monitoring instead of prison.
If you've violated the terms of your probation or have already been arrested for doing so, contact criminal defense attorneys at the Busciglio & Sheridan Law Group today. We can protect your rights and interests and help you to minimize the consequences of your probation violation.
What Constitutes a Violation of Probation
Probation violations are broken down into two separate categories: "technical" violations and "new law" violations. Technical violations include the following:
- Failure to pay fines/costs/restitution
- Failure to complete community service hours
- Failure to attend your appointment with your probation officer
- Failure to complete a court ordered program such as dui school or anger management classes
- Failure to obtain or maintain lawful employment
- Failing a drug test
New law violations involve getting arrested or charged with a criminal offense while you are currently on probation. For example, an arrest for any one of the following could constitute a new law probation violation:
- Possession of drugs
- Violating a restraining order
- Unsupervised use of a computer
- Unlawful possession of a firearm
- DUI arrest
Alternatives to Prison
In Florida, probation violations are not treated lightly. When someone is granted probation, the expectation is they are responsible and committed enough to adhere to the terms of their probation. Depending on the circumstances surrounding your case, the court may be willing to agree to additional check-ins and monitoring for you with your probation officer. In other instances, you may be required to wear an ankle bracelet or other electronic monitoring device. If drugs or alcohol were involved, you may be required to submit to a drug or alcohol test more frequently.
Our attorneys can review the specifics of your case and discuss potential alternatives to prison. Even though electronic monitoring or the lengthening of your probation may not be ideal, they are better than returning to prison and having an additional penalty attached to your sentence.
Contact Probation Violations Attorneys Busciglio & Sheridan Today
Don't wait until your probation officer calls you or a warrant is issued for your arrest - contact probation violation attorneys at the Busciglio & Sheridan Law Group today to schedule a free, confidential consultation to discuss your case.
