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WHAT HAPPENS IF CHARGED WITH VIOLATING PROBATION IN ARIZONA?
Every crime in Arizona carries with it a certain penalty. Depending on the offense, you could be facing heavy fines or a jail sentence. If the crime isn’t of a very serious nature, your Arizona criminal lawyer may be able to convince the judge to sentence you to probation instead of jail. If you’re lucky enough to get probation, you’ll have to abide by certain rules.
If a judge sentences you to probation instead of jail, they expect you to abide by your terms of probation. If you fail to do this, you’ll be in violation of your probation. This means your probation officer may have you arrested. You;ll have to go before the judge again and explain why you violated the terms of your probation. This is never pleasant. In the eyes of the court, you were given a second chance and you messed it up. Your Arizona criminal lawyer will have to work extra hard to keep you out of jail. Whether or not that’s possible will depend on how serious your crime was to begin with.
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Do You Know What Your Terms of Probation Are?
When you’re convicted of certain crimes in Arizona, the judge may have the authority to sentence you to probation instead of jail. Your probation will carry with it certain terms. If you don’t abide by these terms, you’ll be hauled back into court. You may even be thrown into jail. It will depend on your criminal history, the original crime you were charged with and how bad your violation was.
Some of the more common terms of probation in Arizona include the following:
- Required to meet with probation officer on a bi-weekly, weekly or monthly basis
- Drug testing
- Proof of employment
- Alcohol and drug treatment classes or programs
- Community service
- Paying your fines on time
If you fail to comply with these terms, you’ll be considered in violation of your probation. When this happens, your probation officer will either call you into their office or send the cops out to arrest you. After you’re arrested, you’ll have to appear at a hearing before a judge. The judge will then decide whether to allow you to return home on probation or put you in jail. Your Arizona criminal lawyer will fight to keep your probation terms the same.
There are a Variety of Ways You Can Violate Probation in Arizona
There are all sorts of ways in which you can violate probation. It could be something as simple as getting fired from your job. If you lose your job, you’re required to tell your probation officer. If you fail to do that, you may be charged with a probation violation. Another common way people violate their probation is by not paying their fines. If this happens, the judge will order you to pay all past-due fines. If you’re lucky, you’ll be allowed to stay out of jail on probation.
A Seasoned Arizona Criminal Lawyer May Be Able to Work it Out with Your Probation Officer
Every once in a while, a probation violation is the result of an innocent mistake. Perhaps you move and sent an email to your probation officer with your new address. Things don’t work out and you forget to let the officer know that you’ve moved back home. Your Arizona criminal lawyer can argue that this was a harmless error that your probation should not be revoked.
Contact an Experienced Arizona Criminal Lawyer Today
If you’ve been charged with violating your probation, give our office a call. It’s in your best interest to have an experienced Arizona criminal lawyer there by your side.