It isn’t uncommon for an individual to be sentenced to probation after pleading guilty to a criminal offense. However, if you violate your probation, a Florida judge has the option of revoking it. Alternatively, the judge could decide to modify the terms of your probation to reflect the seriousness of your actions.
What happens if your probation is revoked?
If a judge decides to revoke your probation, you will be sentenced to whatever penalties are normally associated with the charge that you were convicted of. For instance, if you violated the terms of your probation after being convicted of a drug crime, you might be sentenced to several years in prison.
What happens if your probation is modified?
There is a chance that the person overseeing your case simply extends the term of your supervised release. In other words, if you were scheduled to be on probation for another 12 months, the judge may decide to add another year to your sentence. Alternatively, the judge may decide to prohibit you from using a computer, impose a curfew or take other steps to minimize the risk of future violations.
You will have a chance to dispute an officer’s allegations
You will be given an opportunity to present evidence casting doubt on the assertion that you violated the terms of your probation. A criminal defense attorney may be able to assist you in the process of gathering and organizing that evidence. Depending on the strength of your argument, the court may decide that no violation occurred. In such a scenario, it’s unlikely that any further sanctions would be levied against you.
