This question is a somewhat difficult question for Tampa violation of probation attorneys since it sort of a damned if you do, damned if you don’t situation. As we have discussed elsewhere on our Tampa violation of probation attorney blog, there are two types of violations of probation – substantive and technical. Substantive violations involve new law violations, while technical violations involve a violation of one of the terms of probation, like curfew, paying back restitution, clean drug screens, etc. Regardless of the decision you make as to seeing your probation officer, there are negatives to both situations.
If you do not visit your probation officer, then you will be charged with another technical violation – failure to attend the scheduled meeting with your probation officer. As we discuss elsewhere in our Tampa violation of probation attorney blog, the recommendation of your probation officer carries significant weight with many of the Tampa Bay area judges handling violations of probation. To ignore them and the requirement to regularly meet with them carries significant potential risk with their recommendation before the Court.
If you do visit your probation officer with an outstanding technical violation of probation, you will almost certainly be arrested on the spot, but you will avoid the additional technical violation. Many Tampa Bay area judges handling violations of probation or VOPs, including Judge Perry, who handles them in Hillsborough County, generally prefers folks show up at probation and seemingly punishes those more severely that do not. Otherwise, Judges simply believe that the probationer may be hiding other issues, including avoiding a drug test at the appointment.
While the facts and circumstances of each criminal case are different, we generally recommend our clients ensure all their affairs are in order prior to going to the probation appointment, so they are fully prepared to go into custody. We also encourage our clients to complete as much of their probation prior to going into custody, again this is to assist them for when they go into court on the VOP. Lastly and most importantly, we encourage folks to retain an attorney prior to being taken into custody since it is so difficult to make telephone calls, once they are taken into custody and your Tampa violation of probation attorney can work on getting you a quicker court date.
If you or someone you know has questions concerning violations of probation/VOPs or they violated probation and are looking for assistance, contact the Tampa violation of probation attorneys of the Hackworth Law Firm for a free case consultation. We have handled thousands of violations of probation over the years throughout the Tampa Bay Area. If you would like to contact one of our Tampa violation of probation attorneys immediately, please use the “contact us now” tab in the upper right hand corner of our website. We appreciate your time and attention in checking out our Tampa violation of probation attorney blog and look forward to working with you in the future.