Probation Violations in Cumming / Forsyth County

In Forsyth County Georgia, Cumming probation officers seek violations of their probationers all the time.  There are several reasons for this.  But first, let's talk about what probation means.  Probation is usually good news to people.  When someone is convicted of a crime, they face jail or prison time.  Sometimes all or part of the jail or prison sentence can be served on probation.  If the probation is violated and revoked, the time must be spent incarcerated instead of on probation.  

Probation violations can occur for technical reasons.  This can be failure to report, being behind on the fines, failing to take required classes like DUI school or getting a drug or alcohol evaluation, and not completing community service, etc.  Probationers who violated for these reasons typically face shorter revocation sentences and can sometimes be reinstated on their probation.  A more serious probation violation occurs when someone serving on probation faces new charges.  If you get a new arrest, it is very difficult to make bond as your probation officer will put a hold on you.  You typically must sit in jail until the new charges are resolved.  Then you face a probation revocation.  Your entire probated sentence can be revoked to jail or prison time.  This means that if you had 3 years remaining on probation at the time of your new offense, you could be revoked to prison for those 3 years.  If you were on first offender probation, it is even worse as you face adjudication on the first offender charges and complete resentencing on those offenses that can make your underlying sentence even longer. 

An experienced lawyer can help significantly in probation revocation hearings.  Call Cumming / Forsyth County attorney Richard Lawson for a consultation.