Asked 8/31/2016 – El Paso, TX

I am currently on probation. I am abiding by all terms of my probation but sometimes I’ll hear someone in my backyard and have wondered if it’s my officer.

Answer

A standard probation order gives a probation officer the authority to visit you at your home or place of employment. The probation department does not have the authority to break into your house. They must knock on the door and request permission to enter your home. If you refuse, the recourse a probation officer has is to request a motion to revoke your probation be filed due to non-compliance with the terms of probation. If you hear someone in your backyard, call the police.