Felony Violation of Probation

Any allegation that you violated felony probation comes with serious consequences.

After the probation officer becomes aware of the violation, the probation officer must take action.

You should also take action by contacting an experienced attorney who can represent you at every stage of the case.

Your felony violation of probation case will be heard by a judge in Pasco County at the courthouse in Dade City or New Port Richey.

Different procedures might be used depending on whether your violation is technical or substantive.

Florida law provides more restrictive procedures that might apply if you are classified as a Violent Felony Offender of Special Concern (VFO SC).

For any felony probation violation in Pasco County, FL, you need an experienced criminal defense attorney to help you at every stage of the case.

Attorney for Felony Violation of Probation in New Port Richey, FL

After an allegation that you violated your probation, you should also take action by retaining an experienced criminal defense attorney in New Port Richey, FL.

At Sammis Law Firm, we can help you resolve the alleged violation.

Your attorney can help you comply with the special terms and conditions of probation.

An attorney can also contact the probation officer on your behalf, especially before a warrant is issued or a hearing has been set.

If a VOP warrant has already been issued, an attorney can appear for you at first appearance or possibly file a motion to surrender without going to jail.

Our goal is to help you comply with all of the terms of your probation to avoid being punished for any violation.

Additionally, we help clients apply for early termination of their probation once all the special conditions are completed.

Contact us to discuss your case today with an attorney experienced in fighting violations of probation cases in Pasco County, FL.

Call 727-807-6392.

Rules for Felony Violation of Probation Cases in Pasco County, FL

Administrative Order No. 2016-010 PA/PI-CIR explains the procedural rules for violations of probation for felony probation or community control. The administrative order was signed on March 1, 2016.

The administrative order was enacted to specify the types of violations of probation that are to be reported by a technical violation letter or Notice to Appear under section 948.06, Florida Statutes, and to direct that these violations be submitted to the judge assigned to section Q or the assigned section judge.

The order explains the rules needed to ensure that technical notification letters and Notices to Appear are to be submitted to the assigned section judge and under Article V, section 2, Florida Constitution, Rule of Judicial Administration 2.215, and section 43.26, Florida Statutes.

The rules differ slightly for misdemeanor violation of probation cases in Pasco County, FL.

Violation of Community Control in Pasco County, Florida

In felony cases resolved in the courthouse in New Port Richey or Dade City, FL, the court might sentence the defendant to community control instead of incarceration in prison.

A term of regular felony probation often follows Community control. The court determines the special conditions of community control at the time of sentencing.

Under Section 948.001(3), F.S., “community control” is a form of intensive, supervised custody in the community, including surveillance on weekends and holidays, administered by officers with restricted caseloads.

The community control program in Pasco County, FL, is structured to accommodate a person who, without the program, might return to jail or prison.

After the probation officer alleges a violation of community control, the procedures are similar to those used after an allegation of probation violation.

After being placed on community control, contact an attorney about getting the community control portion of probation rolled into regular probation with early termination.

An attorney can file a motion for early termination of community control or probation in Dade City or New Port Richey in Pasco County, FL.

The Technical Notification Letter after a Probation Violation

Under the administrative order in Pasco County, the Department of Corrections (“DOC”) may report alleged violations of probation or community control by a technical notification letter or by affidavit and a Notice to Appear when the offender fails to do any of the following:

• perform required community service, or committed an ordinance violation;
• pay court costs under a payment plan;
• obtain permission prior to leaving the county,
• make restitution payments;
• obtain permission prior to moving from an approved residence;
• obtain permission prior to leaving approved employment;
• comply with the terms of curfew;
• follow instructions of the probation officer;
• be truthful to the probation officer; or
• report to the probation officer as directed.

When such a violation occurred, the DOC in Pasco County, FL, may report alleged violations of probation or community control by submitting an affidavit and proposed Notice to Appear when the offender:

• has positive results of a drug screen; or
• has committed a second-degree misdemeanor.

A technical notification letter or affidavit and Notice to Appear is to be submitted to the assigned section judge.

For a technical notification letter, if the judge in Pasco County, FL, agrees that the alleged violation does not require action by the court, the technical notification letter shall be forwarded to the Clerk of the Circuit Court in the Sixth Judicial Circuit for filing in the court file.

Suppose the judge determines that the alleged violation requires court review. In that case, the judge shall return the letter to the DOC with a directive to promptly submit an affidavit so that the court may either issue a Notice to Appear or a warrant.

If an affidavit and proposed Notice to Appear are submitted, the judge determines whether the alleged violation requires the offender’s arrest.

If so, the judge returns the Notice to Appear to the DOC with a directive to submit a warrant promptly.

VOP Cases with an Affidavit and Warrant in Pasco County

The DOC shall report all other alleged probation or community control violations by submitting an affidavit and warrant.

The affidavit and warrant will be submitted to the assigned section judge in Pasco County, FL.

When the DOC submits an affidavit regarding a person alleged to have violated probation or community control, the DOC shall indicate whether:

• the DOC seeks a warrant for the arrest of the offender or is requesting the Court to issue a Notice to Appear;
• whether the offender has ever been convicted of committing or is currently alleged to have committed a qualifying offense as defined in section 948.06, Florida Statutes.

If the DOC requests a Notice to Appear, the DOC may also request that the hearing date be set after the next appointment with the offender.

When the Court signs a Notice to Appear, the Court shall set a date for a hearing on the violation. The DOC is to provide notice to the offender. The attached form Notice to Appear in Attachment A may be used.

When a Notice to Appear is to be issued, the DOC shall submit an original and four (4) copies to the Court.

The Court shall sign the original and provide the original to the Clerk, two copies to the DOC, one to the State Attorney, and one to the Public Defender.

If the DOC cannot notify an offender of the hearing date, the DOC shall prepare a warrant for the offender’s arrest.

Forms for the Notice to Appear in a Felony VOP Case

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SIXTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA

IN AND FOR PASCO COUNTY CRIMINAL DIVISION

STATE OF FLORIDA,                                                                                       Case No.:

v.                                                                                                                      Division:

DEFENDANT.                                                                                                   SPN: _____________________

DOC #: _____________________

NOTICE TO APPEAR

You are hereby ordered to appear to respond to charges that you violated probation.

_____ You are ordered to appear at the West Pasco Judicial Center, 7530 Little Road, Courtroom ______, New Port Richey, Florida on _____________, 20___ at ______ am/pm.

_____ You are ordered to appear at the Robert D. Sumner Judicial Center, 38053 Live Oak Avenue, Courtroom _____, Dade City, Florida on _____________, 20___ at ______ am/pm.

Failure to appear for the above-referenced hearing will result in a warrant being issued for your arrest for an alleged probation violation.

____________________________________

Judge’s Signature

If you are a person with a disability who needs any accommodation to participate in this proceeding, you are entitled, at no cost to you, to the provision of certain assistance. Please contact the Public Information Dept., Pasco County Government Center, 7530 Little Road, New Port Richey, FL34654; (727) 847-8110 (V) for proceedings in New Port Richey; (352) 521-4274, ext. 8110 (V) for proceedings in Dade City or New Port Richey at least 7 days before your scheduled court appearance, or immediately upon receiving this notification if the time before the scheduled appearance is less than 7 days; if you are hearing or voice impaired, call 711.

Distribution:

Original – Clerk

First & Second Copy – DOC

Third Copy – State Attorney

Fourth Copy – Public Defender Sixth Judicial Circuit

TO BE COMPLETED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS:

The above offender is not a Violent Felony Offender of Special Concern.

______________________

Probation Officer’s Signature

Additional Resources

Where is the Felony Probation Office in Pasco County Located? – For any felony probation case in East Pasco County, FL, contact the Felony Probation Office at 14450 7th St., Dade City, FL 33525. For any felony probation case in West Pasco County, FL, contact the Felony Probation Office located across the street from the Judicial Center, inside Counsel Square at the following address: 7619 Little Rd., Suite C150, New Port Richey, FL 34654. The phone number for the felony probation office is (727) 841-4131.

Felony Probation in Pasco County – Visit the Pasco County Clerk & Comptroller’s website for more information about felony probation. In Florida, felony cases are crimes of a more serious nature, punishable by death or imprisonment for more than one year. Florida law classifies felony offenses as either a capital felony, felony punishable by life in prison, first-degree, second-degree, or third-degree felony. Each type of felony charge has a different maximum and minimum penalty. To find information on parole cases and violations or to learn more about the restoration of civil rights or clemency, visit the Florida Parole Commission’s website or call toll-free to (800) 488-2952.

This article was last updated on Tuesday, May 2, 2023.