Often times after people have pled to a particular offense, they are placed on probation. In short, probation is a penalty which requires a criminal defendant to perform certain acts within a set time frame in lieu of jail time. All orders of probation require the criminal defendant not be charged with any new criminal offense. The commission of a new criminal offense is the way in which most criminal defendants are charged with a violation of probation (VOP).

A violation of probation is a very serious allegation for which criminal defendants should seek competent legal counsel. In the State of Florida, when someone is charged with a felony, the court is mandated to use a point system. Violations of probation allow the court to “bump up” the score sheet to a higher scale which may expose the accused to state prison.

Every case and situation is unique. Your attorney will evaluate your individual situation and advise you how best to proceed regarding these and other issues. The above statements are made for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice. The Law Offices of Thomas J. Donnelly shall not bear responsibility for any actions taken based upon the above information. Seeking professional help for your legal problems and concerns is imperative.