I have been on probation in one county in Georgia for almost two years, with one and one half months to go on my probation. I have quit drinking, finished all of my requirements of my probation, including 240 hours of community service, I've passed all alcohol/drug screenings, and have never violated it. I was with my sister yesterday and we were both charged with misdemeanor sholifting in another county in Georgia. My court date for the shoplifting is Dec.3rd and I am off probation in the other county on Jan.26th. Will my probation officer find out about this shoplifting charge? Does he have to violate me or can he just let me finish my probation and face these charges in another county without bringing the probation into it? Any info would be appreciated. I am a single mother with a great job and stuck something stuoid on my wrist at this store and left without paying for it. I would hate to think that this minor, stupid mistake will mess up all of the effort I have put into completing my DUI probation.

Your shoplifting charge will be caught by the PO as they like to run your name into the computer if you are nearing your termination date. If you do not advise your PO of this charge that is an automatic violation. That's great and all that you did everything that your probation required but since you DID get arrested that counts as a violation. If you do not report this new police contact you will automatically violate your probation. Your excuse falls on deaf ears here and at the PO department and on the Judge's ears. When you were given another chance by being on probation that meant that you were supposed to live your life by the rules of your probation period with NO deviations due to "stupidity". Sorry. You are in a heap of trouble if you don't report this new arrest to the PO. You won't be able to just "squeek" by with them not catching on. Doesn't happen in real life.

And now you have the biggest trouble, while the minor shoplifting may not have caused the judge to do anything ( it may have caused you to see the judge)

You have no done a very serious violation, not telling the PO about the arrest.

If this was me, I would be in their office in the morning to tell them, since if and when they find out ( they run you though the computer system prior to discharge) and they find out you failed to notify them, they will have you in jail before the sun goes down