Probation and DUI sentences go hand in hand. As does trouble and probation violations. Whenever possible, try to avoid both of these scenarios. The purpose behind placing a Florida DUI offender on probation it to monitor his or her behavior for a certain period of time in order to ensure safe and legal behavior going forward. For many, this type of legal babysitting is enough to make a DUI and any other illegal action a one-time event. For others, the terms of the probation prove too difficult to abide by and a violation occurs.
To begin, probation for a misdemeanor DUI can range from six months to one year in duration and includes a whole host of headaches for you to worry about in your everyday life. In the majority of situations, you will be required to report to your probation officer every month and check-in on all your requirements. DUI school, community service and paying the various fines and court costs associated with your DUI conviction are all items that your probation officer will check on to make sure you have completed them in the allotted time.
Small or large, violating your DUI probation is a very bad idea, especially in Florida. What essentially happens is that your DUI officer will document your violation (i.e. failed to complete all the terms or a completely independent criminal offense) and send this signed affidavit to the judge in your case. The judge will review the information and, in almost every single case, sign an arrest warrant for you to be arrested on the initial charges of your case. Because your address and other personal information is listed on your record, it is easy for local police to find you and this can become a very embarrassing event for many. Florida judges have a lot of discretion when it comes to attaching punishments to the probation violation. The consequences attached to your Florida DUI probation depend on many factors, including:
- The nature and seriousness of the probation violation
- Whether the facts of the violation serve to lessen or worsen the violation situation
- Whether you had previous probation violations
Jail time, additional (and stricter) probation time and heavy fines are three of the more common punishments attached to a DUI probation violation. Unfortunately, in those scenarios in which a new crime was the probation violation, you will not only be facing penalties for the violation but also for the crime.
If you have recently violated your DUI probation, you need to get in touch with an attorney to help rectify the situation. You have the right to attorney representation at your probation hearing and this is something you should take advantage of. The attorneys at Finebloom & Haenel P.A. work with these scenarios all the time. We will review the facts surrounding your case and let you know all of the legal options available to you. Get in touch with us today for a free consultation.
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