Hi I live in Georgia and 9 months ago I was arrested for possession of marijuana, and sentenced to 1 year of probation, nearly $2000 in fines, a one time drug class, and 40 hours of community service. Once I completed the probation the charge would be erased of my record. Now I am 3 months away from my probation period coming to an end and still owe nearly $1000 due the lack of money coming in and also having to pay bills. My probation officer said if I don't get the majority paid off in the next month (which I know I'm not going to be able to do) ill have to appear in court. I have completed my drug class and my community service and have passed every drug test they have given me. So I'm wondering what will happen when I see the judge, and if my completing everything but the fine if there is a possibility of getting my probation extended so I can pay it, because I'm really worried about this charge being stuck on my record if my probation gets revoked. Also I have tried telling my P.O. all of this this but she doesn't seem to care.

As long as you have completed all of your community service and drug classes, most of the time a Judge will be understanding to your money problems in this economy and will most likely give you additional time to pay the fines. A P.O. hears excuses all the time so take her response with a grain of salt. As long as you make an effort, I have seen judges extend dates and even ask you when you would be able to pay the fine by. Good Luck.

If you ask the judge to extend your probation time they probably will do just that. You must ask for a realistic extension of time though and then stick with a rigid schedule or payment of this remaining fine money to successfully complete you court ordered sanctions. Figure out just how many months it will realistically take you to pay the rest of the money and tell the judge this figure. You can also request your PO to recommend that your probation be extended for so many months so you can pay the remaining money. I have seen this approach work successfully several times.

I have court Wednesday cause I hadn't paid all my fines yet but I was worried about it but after yalls comments I'm not that worried now thanks everybody.

I by no means wave my rights at the Probation Officer for more time to pay the fines. The PO is going to try to make you sign a waver where you don't have to appear in court , ask the judge for more probation so you can have more time to pay your fines. Most people sign the waver but you would still be in probation. No rights whatsoever. If I were you, I wouldn't sign it. I will go infont of the judge with a Public Defender and ask for more time to pay the fines but with unsupervised probation. If the PO says that he could still ask the judge for unsupervised probation, don't let her/him do it, because just because they ask, doesn't mean you'll get it. Is a business for them, remember. Also have your PD ask about what can the courts can forgive you or take off because of your money situation. Don't be afraid of going in front of the judge because you have done everything you've been ask for and had no problems other than the money issue. If you can avoid having suprevised probation, why not ask the judge. Being in probation is no joke. Good Luck to you.

Perlita63, please try to take note of the date when these questions were posted. In this thread, for example, two people

• Celestialvibez, on Feb 9, 2010 05:59 PM and
• lamar30, on Dec 12, 2011 02:28 PM

Had similar problems, and asked about them in 2010 and 2011. Their problems have long since been solved, one way or another.