Probation is a sentence that allows those who have been found guilty of a crime to remain in their community. By remaining in their community, an individual can live their life outside of jail.
Even though probation is considerably better than jail, it is often quite strict. If someone violates the terms of their probation, they could be sent to jail in order to complete the remainder of their sentence.
Going over four probation violations that can lead to jail time and speaking with an experienced Chicago criminal defense lawyer will allow you to protect your rights.
Violation 01: Failing A Drug/Alcohol Test
Many probation agreements come with terms that include regular drug and/or alcohol tests. If you are supposed to take a test and pass it but do so and fail the test, then you could be facing a serious probation violation.
Depending on what occurs after this violation, you could end up going to jail. This isn’t always guaranteed, yet it could easily happen if being sober is a condition of your probation.
If you appear to have failed a drug/alcohol test, you should work with an attorney. By doing so, you can protect your rights in the event that a drug/alcohol test comes back positive for illicit substances.
Violation 02: Not Going To Court-Ordered Programs
If you are on probation, there is a good chance you have been ordered to attend a program that relates, on some level, to the crime you allegedly committed.
Just as an example, if you were involved in an Illinois DUI, then you may have been ordered to attend counseling. If this is the case, your probation officer should have a good idea of when these counseling sessions are supposed to occur.
You are legally obligated to go to these court-ordered programs. A failure to attend these programs is, in many instances, a probation violation. This can lead to jail time.
Violation 03: Not Reporting To Your Probation Officer
Your probation is managed by a probation officer who has been assigned to your case. If you want to remain on probation, you must report to them at the designated time.
Missing an appointment with your probation officer is considered a violation. This is always true, even if you missed an appointment for a valid reason, such as being at the hospital.
The best way to prevent this violation is to get to your probation officer’s office as early as possible. Or, if you did miss an appointment for a valid reason, obtaining legal help may be wise.
Violation 04: Committing A Crime
Out of all the probation violations that can occur, one of the most significant is committing a crime. Committing any crime while you are out on probation is always a serious violation.
Even if you are not found guilty of committing a crime, being accused of a crime or arrested can lead to your probation being revoked. This isn’t always likely, but when you’re on probation, an accusation is very serious.
If you have been accused of a crime while on probation, it is of the utmost importance that you talk to an experienced attorney. Doing so will make it a lot easier for you to retain your current probation agreement.
Get Qualified Legal Help Today
If you need representation for a probation violation, Glasgow & Olsson is uniquely qualified to help you.
Our team has helped thousands of people who have been charged with crimes in Illinois. When we take cases, we do so to win. This means we take cases to trial. We don’t arrange plea bargains unless it is in the best interest of our clients. As proactive lawyers, we fight aggressively and support our clients throughout their entire case up to and including appeals. Protecting your life and freedom is always the goal, and with our decades of experience practicing law, we know how to get results. This is why we are regularly invited to appear as a legal contributor on popular radio and news outlets, including ABC, CNN, NBC, CBS, and Fox NEWS.
When you need an attorney, experience matters. Speak with a Chicago criminal defense attorney today to learn how our experience can help you get the results you need.