I need help with a probation violation!?

Question

Hello, I am 23 years old and I live in Boise, Idaho.

About 1 1/2 years ago, I got busted for writing 2 bad checks. There were more (long story), however, I only got busted on 2 of them. The courts put me on unsupervised probation for a year and told me to pay my fines. I set up a payment plan and I paid 30 dollars a month. After about 3 months of paying, I ended up homeless and very ill. I was in and out of the hospital. I lost my job, and the only cash I could aquire went towards medications.

Well, my probation was set to end on may 31st of this year, and it did. However on the 27th they put out a PV warrant for my arrest due to unpaid fines.

I talked to the prosecuting attorney, and he let me pay my fines off in exchange for him dropping the warrant.

I paid, the warrant was dropped, but I still need to go to a Probation violation hearing on the 20th.

This will be my second time in the courtroom, ever.

However, I have moved. I now live 23 miles away from the courthouse, and I have no way to make it there. My public defender said he was going to try to get it resolved out of court, and he will not call me. I don't know whats going on.

I can't talk to the prosecutor anymore, and my public defender refuses to call me back. I leave many messages on his phone each day.

I simply can not make it there for health and transportation issues.

I do have a job that is going to be starting on the 21st. I am also doing online college courses and am on my way to a better life. I am low-income at this point, so I will also be getting housing soon.

I am scared I am going to jail. I do not know what is going to happen. At my initial court trail, for the bad checks, the agreement was that if I got a PV then I would go to jail for 90 days. (90 days suspended)

I am freaked out, and no one will answer my questions.

What do you think will happen in court? Jail time or ?

I understand that this is pretty minor seeing as how I have my fines paid, but they were paid late so it is a legit PV.

I have 4 days left before court. I want o get it resolved before then, but even my public defender will not call me back. I am having a hard time with teh stress and the worrying. Any advice?

Answer 1

Relax.... you are not going to jail.. sounds like it's just a formality as you have already made arrangements with the DA and paid your fines.  Most likely nothing will happen.  You are definately not going to jail.

You really, really need to secure transportation to get to the hearing.  Not appearing could really put you in a jam.

Answer 2

First of all, since your fines are paid and you haven't been in any other trouble, I seriously doubt that you will go to jail. However, if you can't get the legal representative to call you back, you need to be in court. Find a ride from someone, but be there. Your excuses for not going will not stand up, especially since you plan on starting a job the next day. If you don't show up, they will definitely come looking for you and you will be in jail.

When you go to court, simply explain to the judge what happened and throw yourself at the mercy of the court. Chances are he will feel sympathetic towards you and be lenient, probably dropping all charges.

Regardless - you must be there.

Answer 3

I think you need to stop making excuses for yourself.  You did break the law at least twice.  To me it sounds like you got off too easy.  You probably won't go to jail but I suggest you find a ride to the court house.  Like you said you have four days before you have to appear in court...get off the computer and find a ride or earn some cash to pay for a taxi.