I was convicted of a misdemeanor DUI in Ventura County, Ca. I was sentenced to a 2900$ fine and 36 months formal probation. This was unexpected to me only because this is for a misdemeanor DUI conviction (first offense with .12 BAC)

I was told by my attorney that assuming I pay the fine in full on the day of the conviction (which I did), most likely my probation officer (who I have yet to be contacted by as my court date was only yesterday) would change the status of my formal probation to informal probation. Anyway my concern is I have a vacation already paid for on August 15 for 3 days out of state. Is it likely that my probation officer will or will not let me go if I have already paid my fine, enrolled in alcohol school, etc...


Thanks

What does your attorney say about you leaving the state so soon after getting on probation? Most likely you won't be able to leave the state - prepaid vacation or no prepaid vacation. If you don't get written permission to leave the state and you are caught outside the state, then you violate your probation. Don't risk it.

Will just depend, I know of a lot of PO that will not, so you need to get with them ASAP and find out.

Thanks for your responses and answers. Yeah I definitely don't plan on risking anything what so ever I won't be going unless I know I am allowed (I always buy flight insurance if anything needs to be canceled).

The main thing though that I am confused by is why would I even be on a formal probation for a first offense MISDEMEANOR dui. I mean now that my fine is paid would they really want probation officers wasting their time with me? Regardless this is my punishment and I except it, but have you heard of being moved from formal to informal probation once financial responsibility is covered for someone in my position.