Violation of Probation, what's going to happen?
Hello,
My boyfriend was arrested on Sept. 4 for violation of probation. He last went to jail in 2006 for not paying fines for his offense in 2005. After he paid his fines in 06, he was under the impression he wasn't on probation anymore. He never received any more notices and it seemed okay. He had to move Sept 07 and never told probation his new address because he assumed he was done with it.
He had a DYFUS hearing on Sept 2 because the mother of his child and him are in a custody battle. The child was taken away from her because of unfit living conditions and he was going for custody. Two days later, he got locked up.
His probation officer denied bail and doesn't like him too much. He is in jail for not doing community service and for not paying his monthly probation fine. All would have been done if he knew he was on it!
He wanted to send her a letter apologizing but I don't think he should? His family keeps calling and explaining he did not know he was on probation, which is true. His father, who lived with him at the time verified never receiving notices (his probation officer said notices were sent in the months he was living at his former address, but his dad confirmed they never got them).
She will not let him go early, at first lied and said it was out of her hands but now admits it is and says she will consider talking to the prosecutor. Should we get a lawyer? How do you find a good one? They are so expesnsive but he's facing a year in jail and I would have to take over the entire rent, not just my half and it will cost me more in the end for him to be sentenced for a year.