Asked 4/1/92016 – Houston, TX

I was arrested for felony evading arrest w/ a motor vehicle. Luckily my father hired a fantastic lawyer that managed to get the charge dropped to misdemeanor evading arrest with 2 years of deferred adjudication probation. I’m a full time college student, and I work full time as well. I’ve completed all of the terms of my probation and am up to date with all of my fines. I’d like to say I’m a model probationer, but I have missed one meeting due to surgery. I’ve been on probation for 5 months now. At 3 months of probation my PO said I could get early termination in May if I continued to take care of business. Should I try to request early termination at my next meeting, or should I wait until next month? Or should I wait and get my lawyer to help me do so? My lawyer is expensive so I do not want to have to pay for him unless I absolutely have to. But if getting my lawyer involved means I have a greater chance of being granted early probation termination, I have no problem with paying to do so.

Answer

You probably need to talk with your attorney. First, you can’t just be up to date with all your fines and costs, you must have PAID all fines and costs in full before requesting early termination of probation. Talk with your probation officer at your next meeting and see if you have completed everything required and, if the probation department will oppose early discharge. Then call your attorney.