Ask Me Help Desk - Getting off probation

I have been on probation since early 2005 for marijuana less than 20, paraphanalia, and possession of a controlled substance (1 xanax pill). I violated on July 6th 2006 for failing a drug test and have been on community control since. I recently got off community control but now I am on probation for 2 more years with a "drug package". I have a 7pm-7am curfew and I cannot leave my county unless there is an emergency within my immediate family. I am a freelance photographer and I would love to be able to leave this hick town on weekends and stuff to take some photographs. I have paid all of my fines and everything and I am sober as can be and focusing on my work as a graphic designer and web developer. The photography is part of my work as a graphic designer as it plays an important rolen a design environment. Anyway back to the issue... I know after half of my time is served I can appeal for it to be released. That is coming up in January but because I have violated my probation officer says that my chances are slim and the frown upon that kind of stuff. Now I know I made a mistake and thought I can get away with it but now I know that I cannot and I just want to be done with this so that I can focus on my career and get out there and do what I love. Any suggestions on what I can do or what needs to be done? Any insight would be greatly appreciated on this.

Travis

If your probation officer is not going to support and recommend, your chances are slim to none but you can always ask.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ansimation

i have been on probation since early 2005 for marijuana less than 20, paraphanalia, and possesion of a controlled substance (1 xanax pill). i violated on july 6th 2006 for failing a drug test and have been on community control since. i recently got off of community control but now i am on probation for 2 more years with a "drug package". i have a 7pm-7am curfew and i cannot leave my county unless there is an emergency within my immediate family. i am a freelance photographer and i would love to be able to leave this hick town on weekends and stuff to take some photographs. i have paid all of my fines and everything and i am sober as can be and focusing on my work as a graphic designer and web developer. the photography is part of my work as a graphic designer as it plays an important rolen a design environment. anyways back to the issue... i know after half of my time is served i can appeal for it to be released. that is coming up in january but because i have violated my probation officer says that my chances are slim and the frown upon that kind of stuff. now i know i made a mistake and thought i can get away with it but now i know that i cannot and i just want to be done with this so that i can focus on my career and get out there and do what i love. any suggestions on what i can do or what needs to be done? any insight would be greatly appreciated on this.

Travis

Iwent through this never listen to a probation officer their job is to violate you or keep you on probation (info passed on by a lawyer) if you can't afford a lawyer then call a public defender or legal aide it is your right to petition the court if you have fulfilled all your obligations but time so do it the worst thing they can say is no. so you have nothing to lose!! Right! I got off early and you stand a good chance to just keep clean in any case and don't mess up I violated twice and stretched my original 1 year into 3.5 by violating but got off 6 months early because I took care of money and other things very quickly

GOOD LUCK
SCOTT P

Bro, I have been on probation for the last 7 years. I've seen all the ups and downs. Tried to get off, violated... either way, it's like Scott said.. the only chance your going to stand is to get a lawyer, because I promise you, you're not going anywhere as long as it's up to your PO. Good luck man.