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Violation of Probation

Probation is a consequence of entering a plea in open court. Being on probation means that you can live your life while being supervised by and regularly reporting to a probation officer.

Sometimes the court imposes probation because it is more efficient and effective punishment than prison. Other times, it is part of a deal that requires the court to withhold adjudication as long as the probation is completed successfully. 

If the probation is completed successfully, then the court will never adjudicate the person guilty of the offense. In many of these cases, the withhold of adjudication means that the person is eligible to seal the criminal record after probation is completed.

Violation of probation, however, may cause a person to be adjudicated for the underlying offense. If the probation violation is proven, then the court can impose any sentence it could have originally imposed up to the statutory maximum. 

Once a probation officer believes that a violation has occurred, he or she will file an affidavit with the appropriate judge. The judge will then issue a warrant, usually a “no bond” warrant, for the probationer’s arrest. A person typically remains in jail until the hearing on the probation violation, although the court is also allowed to release the probationer on bond.

If you have a felony probation violation, then contact an experienced criminal defense attorney at Meltzer & Bell in Fort Lauderdale, FL.


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Attorney for Violation of Probation in Fort Lauderdale, FL

If you believe your probation officer suspects a violation and will submit an affidavit, time is critical. Act fast. An attorney can represent you in the proceedings and seek the best possible result. At Meltzer & Bell, we help people on probation and community control avoid losing their options, and negotiate better conditions.

Your case is important to us. You’ll have an experienced partner available to you 24 hours per day, seven days per week. We will never hand your case off to a less-experienced associate.  Call a skilled Fort Lauderdale probation violation lawyer today at (954) 765-6585 to set up a free consultation so they can begin work on your case.

We represent people throughout Broward County, including in Fort Lauderdale, Pembroke Pines, Hollywood, Coral Springs, Deerfield Beach, Pompano Beach, Weston, Miramar, Davie, Plantation and Wilton Manors.


First Appearance in a VOP Case in Fort Lauderdale, FL

Our first goal in these cases is to represent the client at the first appearance hearing at the Broward County Courthouse located at 201 S.E. Sixth Street, Fort Lauderdale, Florida. We attend the first appearance hearing to fight for our client’s release from custody while the VOP is pending.

The court uses video links to any and all facilities where the arrested individual is detained by the Broward County Sheriff. After you surrender on the warrant or are picked up, you will appear before a judge within 24 hours of your arrest. 

The First Appearance docket is often conducted at 8:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., on Monday through Thursday of each week and at 8:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. on Friday. On court holidays, Saturdays, and Sundays the First Appearance docket is usually conducted at 8:30 a.m. only.

If an individual is detained on a misdemeanor violation of probation warrant with no bond or is unable to post bond, he or she shall have an initial hearing on the violation of probation as required by law or rule of procedure at the date and time as set by the judge. A status conference on the misdemeanor violation of probation, after the initial hearing, shall be heard as required by law, 

A status conference on the misdemeanor violation of probation, after the initial hearing, shall be heard as required by law, rule of procedure, or other administrative order for the 17th Judicial Circuit within five (5) court business days before the division judge. At first appearance, the violation probation status conference is usually scheduled.

When appropriate, the criminal defense attorneys in Fort Lauderdale, FL, at Meltzer & Bell are ready to appear with you are your first appearance to ask for your immediate release from custody while the violation of probation case is pending.


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Requirements for Probation and Community Control Under Florida Law

While under probation, you will live at your home with your family and work at your job. However, you will be under both general and special terms of probation.

General terms are set by the Department of Corrections or the company that has been selected to oversee probation. Special terms are imposed by the court, or are part of a plea agreement.

The special conditions of probation in Broward County, FL, can include:

  • Reporting regularly to a probation officer (PO)
  • Taking random drug and alcohol tests
  • Being visited at random by a PO
  • Remaining in Broward County unless you receive special permission
  • Not carrying a firearm
  • Paying restitution and court-ordered fees and costs;
  • Paying child support
  • Completing community service requirements
  • Avoiding other criminals
  • Not committing any new crimes.

Community control means constant monitoring by an ankle bracelet. Our skilled attorneys at Meltzer & Bell can negotiate community control in lieu of more severe prison sentences.


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Types of Violations of Probation

For probation and community control, there are “substantive violations” and “technical violations.” A substantive violation is one in which the person is accused of committing another criminal act. Technical violations mean the person on community supervision violated a term of his or her probation or community control.

While there is a difference, either a technical or a substantive violation can result in sanctions. A violation can mean that the judge imposes stricter terms. It can also mean that the person under community supervision goes to prison and serves the rest of his or her term there.

If you believe your PO may submit an affidavit to the supervising court, the time to act is now. Your lawyer can represent you and argue why a violation didn’t occur or does not merit a change in your probation. Your attorney may even be able to negotiate for better, more workable terms.

Warrantless Arrests for Violation of Probation or Community Control in Broward County, FL

According to Administrative Order Number 2012-11-Crim, the Chief Judge in the 17th Judicial Circuit, has recognized that Florida Statute §948.06, Fla. Stat., authorizes a procedure for warrantless arrests for violations of probation or community control. The use of the procedure will be

The use of the procedure is considered to be a cost savings measure to the State of Florida because it reducees the time and paperwork required to secure a violation of probation or community control warrant and thereafter take an individual into custody.

In Broward County, the procedures for a warrantless arrest for violations of probation or community are set forth in Florida Statute §948.06, authorized for use in circuit court criminal proceedings. The Sheriff for Broward County shall immediately notify the Clerk of Courts and Department of Corrections when a probationer or community controllee is arrested, booked, and processed at a Broward County Jail facility.

The Department of Corrections must file an affidavit of violation of probation or community control, or a notice that no affidavit will be filed, with the Clerk of Courts within seven (7) days of the arrest.


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Probation Office Locations in Broward County

Probation for misdemeanor offenses is overseen by the Broward County Sheriff’s Office Probation Division. You will be expected to report to one of the different locations across the county including:

Probation Main Office
540 S.E. 3rd Avenue 
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301 
(954) 357-5900 
Fax: (954) 765-4567

 

North Office for Probation
1600 W. Hillsboro Boulevard Room 220 
Deerfield Beach, FL 33442 
(954) 831-1280 
Fax: (954) 831-1290

 

South Office for Probation
3550 Hollywood Boulevard Room 240 
Hollywood, FL 33021 
(954) 831-0482 
Fax: (954) 964-0286

 

West Office for Probation
100 N. Pine Island Road, Room 280 
Plantation, FL 33324 
(954) 831-2300 
Fax: (954) 370-3715
 

Felony Probation Offices in Broward County, FL

If you are accused of violating felony probation, then contact an experienced criminal defense attorney at Meltzer & Bell. For felony offenses, the state Department of Corrections Adult Community Supervision Office for the 17th Circuit oversees probation. Those under state supervision report to one of these offices:
 
Probation Intake Office
3708A West Oakland Park Boulevard
Lauderdale Lakes, FL 33311
(954) 677-5595 
Fax: (954) 677-5672

 

Broward North
3714 W Oakland Park Blvd
Lauderdale Lakes, FL 33311
(954) 786-5466 
Fax: (954) 497-3386

 

Broward South
3718-4 West Oakland Park Boulevard
Lauderdale Lakes, FL 33311
(954) 677-5500   
Fax: (954) 677-5548

 

Cypress
5610 NW 9th Ave 
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309
(954) 267-4948   
Fax: (954) 267-4967 

 

Fort Lauderdale East
2928 North State Road 7
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33313
(954) 677-5900   
Fax: (954) 677-5912  

 

Plantation
3520 West Broward Boulevard
Kingston Building, Second Floor
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312
(954) 797-1762   
Fax: (954) 797-1795

 

Hollywood
1050 North Federal Highway
Hollywood, FL 33020
(954) 924-3800   
Fax: (954) 924-3811

 

Tamarac
4200 N.W. 16th St., 4th Floor
Lauderhill, FL 33313
(954) 497-4121 
Fax: (954) 497-4133

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Finding an Attorney in Broward County for a Probation Violation

If you believe you are going to face a hearing for a violation of probation, take action as soon as possible. Having a skilled Fort Lauderdale probation violation lawyer on your side could make a tremendous difference in the outcome of your case.

The attorneys at Meltzer & Bell in Fort Lauderdale, also represent clients on Motions for Early Termination of Probation. Call Meltzer & Bell today at (954) 765-6585 to schedule a free consultation.


This article was last updated on Friday, November 3, 2017.

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