After being sentenced to probation, you might be confused as to how much money you have to pay, when you have to see your probation officer, and what you have to do each month to satisfy the conditions of your probation. The following are a few myths and rules to keep in mind so that you aren’t charged for a violation. If you do violate the terms, then you could face one of several consequences in court.

Myths and Rules
Sometimes people who are on probation think that they can pay extra fees and get out of their sentence early. While paying more than what is required can help, it usually won’t mean a shorter sentence.

Another common myth is that probation is an easy process to follow. If you obey the rules that are set forth by the court, then it usually is an easy process to complete. However, there are often classes that you need to take, community service hours to complete, and other requirements that you need to meet in order to complete your probation.

You might think that you need to surrender your license to the court and that you’re not allowed to travel while you’re on probation. If you’re on supervised probation, then you might need to be home by a certain time each evening. However, unless you’ve committed a crime that would warrant your license being suspended, you can usually keep it so that you can go to work or get to classes if you don’t have a job.

When you’re on probation, staying at home could be the only thing that you think that you can do in order to stay out of trouble. This is a common misconception and one that is often addressed in court and with your attorney. It’s typically alright to enjoy activities with your friends and family members, but if you plan on going to another state or if you plan on being away from home after a certain time, then you might need to get permission from your probation officer or the judge. Try to live your life as normally as possible while also completing the requirements set forth by the court so that you can get this part of your life behind you.

Avoiding a Violation
There are a few ways that you can avoid a probation violation. Don’t miss your monthly payments. If you have to make a smaller payment, at least pay something to your officer to show that you’re trying. If possible, don’t miss any meetings with your officer. Let the officer know if you’re unable to visit, and make arrangements to meet on another day. You should also do everything possible to pass drug tests and not obtain any other charges as these could result in going to jail for the duration of your original sentence.


This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is roykahn.gif
 

Roy J. Kahn, with years of legal experience in a wide variety of criminal law, heads a “boutique” firm, which means that your attorney is Roy J. Kahn, not a paralegal. If you have been charged or are about to be charged with a crime—or if you have been contacted to be a witness in a federal grand jury case, you need a qualified defense. You should consult with an attorney immediately and know that you have a right to make no statement until you have consulted with an attorney To contact Mr. Kahn, he can be reached at 305-358-7400.