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Florida DUI Violation of ProbationTampa DUI Probation Attorney
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If you are on DUI probation and believe that you have violated probation, contact a lawyer with the Sammis Law Firm to discuss your case today. We represent men and women charged with violation of probation for DUI in Hillsborough County, Pinellas County, Polk County, Pasco County, Manatee County and the surrounding areas. Call 813-250-0500 to speak directly with an attorney about your case today.
The "No Bond" Warrant in a DUI VOP Case
If you enter a plea to DUI in Hillsborough County, Florida law requires certain minimum conditions, including an adjudication of guilt (conviction). Even for a violation of probation after a first DUI, the consequences are serious. First, the court can sign an arrest warrant with a "no bond" provision. If your warrant contains a "no bond" provision, then after your arrest you may not be able to bond out until you go back to see the judge that originally put you on probation which can take several weeks in some cases.
The Potential Consequences of a VOP in a DUI Case
If you admit that you violated probation, the judge can sentence you up to the statutory maximum allow by law which generally is as follows:
1. For a first DUI, 6 months in the Hillsborough County Jail.
2. For a second DUI, 9 months in the Hillsborough County Jail.
3. For a third DUI, 12 months in the county jail.
4. For a fourth DUI, five years in the Florida State Prison if the underlying offense was charged as a felony DUI.
Act Quickly to Find a Resolution to Your DUI VOP Case
If you believe that your probation officer may allege that you violated probation, you must act quickly. Contact a criminal defense attorney in Hillsborough County, Florida, to see what options might be available to you under the particular facts and circumstances of your individual case. You attorney may be able to contact your probation officer to see if you can be granted additional time to complete the terms of probation. The attorney may be able to give you advice about actions you can take now to attempt to redeem yourself or at least attempt to come into compliance before the violation of probation hearing.
Avoiding Going into Custody in Certain Cases
If that is not possible, your attorney can file a "Motion to Surrender" which allows you to go to court to see the judge with your attorney to ask the judge to withdraw the warrant or grant a bond. In certain cases, you may be able to walk into the courtroom with your attorney, and walk out of the courtroom with your attorney after the Motion to Surrender without having to go into custody. If a motion to surrender is not possible or successful, an attorney can usually get you back in front of the judge within a matter of days to resolve the case.
Resolving the Case - Admit or Deny
In fighting the allegation, your attorney may be able to show the court that the alleged violation was not willful or substantial. An attorney can help you fight any new criminal charges that you received while on probation. If the court finds that you did not actually violate probation, you can be reinstated on probation with the same terms and conditions. If the court finds that you did violate probation, your attorney can argue that you deserve a second change to complete the terms of your original probation without having to serve any jail time.
You may also be eligible for Early Termination of DUI probation in Hillsborough County. Getting your probation terminated as soon as you have completed all the special terms and conditions is the best way to avoid any future violation.
If you are on probation for DUI and believe that you will violation probation, contact a Violation of Probation Lawyer at the Sammis Law Firm. Our Tampa Criminal Lawyers offer free consultations so that you can discuss your case with an attorney in the office or over the phone. Call 813-250-0500 today.
Violation of Probation Information Center
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Violation of Probation in Tampa, Hillsborough County, FL