(1) Do not skip a meeting with your probation officer – even if and especially if you believe you are going to be arrested at that meeting for a probation violation. It is always better in the eyes of the court to handle the situation (even if you will be arrested) rather than avoid it. Obviously you should retain a lawyer before turning yourself in, but be aware the docket is full of people arrested on probation warrants that all tell the judge “I was going to turn myself in on Monday but I was saving up money to hire a lawyer.” It is better to be proactive than to delay any further.
(2) If you are behind on your probation fees, pay whatever you can. The judge would rather see you pay $8.29 every week rather than come to court and say that you couldn’t pay the fees in full.
(3) As a general rule, it’s best to be honest with your probation officer about some transgressions. Most probation officers know that they also serve as social workers, and it is their genuine desire to help you be successful. In situations involving new offenses or when you are asked to admit things that may be devastating to your ability to continue on probation, you should hold off until you’ve had a chance to speak to an attorney about the best way to handle the situation.
Okay, I'm good. What do I do next? |
