Probation Violation Case Results

For a sample of our probation violation cases, click on the following case summaries to read a detailed description of each case.

1. Torrance, Double Jeopardy Probation Violation, Dismissal

2. Hacienda Heights, Possession of Pot for Sales, Probation
   

3. Los Angeles – Probation Violation for Unpaid Child Support

4. Long Beach, DUI While on Probation for Manslaughter, 90 Days

5. Pomona, Dirty Test in Prop 36, Three Years State Prison

6. Hermosa Beach, Possession of a Gun by Felon, 6 Months Jail

7. Long Beach and Torrance, Failure to Register as Sex Offender

8. Torrance, Probation Violation (PC 166(a)), Probation

9. Long Beach, Six Year Old Bench Warrant on Third Time DUI

10. Torrance, Bench Warrant for 9 Years on DV Case, No Jail

11. Pomona, Bench Warrant From 1982, Bail Granted, Time Served

12. Torrance, Three Violations of Prop 36, Back into Prop 36

13. Torrance, 42 Days Probation, Violation, 1 Year Treatment Program

14. West Covina, Prop 36 Violation in 2005, Dismissal in 2015

15. Torrance, DUI Probation Violation, VC 14601 Bench Warrant

16. Probation Violation, Drug Sales, No Jail, Airport Courthouse

17. Redondo Beach, DUI Probation Violation for 16 Years

18. Torrance Probation Violation, Client in State Prison

19. Probation Violation Hearing, Long Beach, No Punishment
20. East Los Angeles Probation Violation, DUI, 12 Year Warrant
21. Fullerton, DUI Probation Violation, 4 Year Bench Warrant
22. Long Beach, Client Does Zero NA Meetings in 18 Months
23. Probation Violation, Metro Court, 2001 & 2003 Bench Warrants
24. Van Nuys Probation Violation on DUI, Bench Warrant 4 Years
25. Probation Violation, Torrance, Bench Warrant for 9 Years
26. Probation Violation, Long Beach, 16 Year Bench Warrant
27. Probation Violation, Fullerton, Second DUI After First DUI
28. Compton, On Probation for Attempted Pandering, Violation
29. Torrance, DUI Probation Violation, New VC 14601.2 Case
30. Torrance, Probation Violation on 211 Case, Drug Treatment
    

Probation violations are one of the most common types of cases we handle. As the above case results show, there are often big risks – prison or jail time, which can turn a family upside down in many ways, including financially and emotionally.

The fundamental concept that most of our clients understand is that probation is a contract one makes with a judge. It is a promise to do or not do certain things and if one breaks that promise, the judge can punish the transgressor in various ways.

Probation violations can be based on a new criminal case or, more commonly, a failure to perform some condition of probation that the client promised.

When there is a new criminal case, judges often immediately ask the client to admit the violation before the new case is adjudicated. If one believes that there is a valid defense to the new case, one obviously should not admit the violation.

Indeed, the California Supreme Court has announced a preference for probation revocations to trial the new case: "we wish to note that the most desirable method for handling the problems of concurrent criminal and probation revocation proceedings may well be for revocation proceedings not even to be initiated until after disposition of the related criminal proceedings." People v. Coleman (1975) 13 Cal.3d 867, 896. "Most desirable" and "not to be initiated" and "until after disposition" are the operative words there.

The Supreme Court then emphasized, four years later, that "prosecutors [should not] routinely disregard our recent admonition that the most desirable method of handling such cases is to refrain from initiating revocation proceedings until the related criminal prosecution is completed." People v. Belleci (1979) 24 Cal.3d 879, 888, fn. 7 [emphasis added], citing Coleman, supra at 896.

Governor George Deukmejian Courthouse
Long Beach Superior Court

More commonly, the probation violation is a failure to complete classes, pay a fine, perform community service, etc. What we find most often is that the client comes to us six or seven years after the conviction, usually because the court issued a bench warrant because of the omission or failure to perform some part of probation. When this is the problem, we recommend that one hire an attorney to appear with the client or for the client (as is allowed in a misdemeanor offense) to recall the bench warrant while showing proof of completion of the community service or a check for the unpaid court fines. We find it prudent to ask for a bench warrant recall while providing what is otherwise lacking, or curing the reason the bench warrant was issued.

When the offense related to DUI or a drug offense, we often recommend that the client consider attending Alcoholic Anonymous (AA) classes or Narcotics Anonymous (NA) meetings in advance of requesting a bench warrant recall, to show the judge that the individual is trying to comply with the spirit of probation for such cases.

When the client comes to us within three years or five years of the conviction with a probation violation, the goal is always to have the client reinstated on probation. This can mean that the judge add to the terms of probation as a sanction or penalty for the violation.

Lastly, it merits mention that probation can be extended within the maximum period of probation (usually five years) if it was unknown at the time probation was granted that restitution could not be paid within the original period of probation, even if the failure to pay is not a violation (i.e., the defendant did not have the ability to pay). People v. Cookson (1991) 54 Cal. 3d 1091. Even if there is a violation, probation cannot be extended beyond the maximum period of probation absent the consent of the defendant (except in some very unusual circumstances). People v. Jackson (2005) 134 Cal.App.4th 929.

For more information about probation violations, click on the following articles:

1. What Happens at a Probation Violation Hearing?

2. What Punishment Do I Face for a Probation Violation?

3. Three Month Lapse Between Arrest and Probation Violation Hearing Does Not Violate One’s Right to a Timely Hearing.

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