If you are someone who was once convicted of a crime, there is a very good chance that you either faced jail time or probation in lieu of jail time. In many cases, though requirements for probation are rather stringent, probation is welcome news, as jail time is often far worse. That being said, as you know, if you are on probation, you are legally obligated to follow various rules, and if you are caught violating those rules, you will most likely face various significant consequences as a result, depending on the nature of your violation. Please continue reading and speak with our Bergen County criminal defense lawyer to learn more about what happens if you violate probation in New Jersey and how our firm can help fight the consequences of doing so. Here are some of the questions you may have:
What are the probation guidelines in New Jersey?
If you are convicted of a crime in New Jersey, you may be placed on probation for between one and five years. However, depending on whether you comply with the conditions of your probation, your probation may be terminated early, or, on the other hand, extended, if you do not follow the provisions of your probation. You will be assigned a probation officer who will check in with you to ensure you are following the terms of your probation. In many cases, in New Jersey, individuals on probation will have to do the following:
- Meet with their probation officer
- Pay various fines
- Get a job and keep it
- Participate in community service
- Attend counseling
- Follow by a curfew
- Remain arrest free
- Submit to drug testing
- Attend educational programs
What happens if I am charged with violating probation?
If you are accused of violating probation, your probation officer will file a Violation of Probation complaint with the court. From here, you and your attorney will have to attend a court hearing, wherein the court will determine whether you are guilty of violating the terms of your probation. If you do not attend the hearing, you may face a warrant for your arrest.
You have the right to deny these accusations. If the judge decides that you are not guilty of the alleged violation, you can resume your probationary period. If, however, the judge determines that you are guilty, you will most likely face additional penalties, such as an extended term of probation. In the worst cases, you may even receive a jail sentence.
