With the right attorney on your side, Kendall County probation may be an option if you’re facing low-level or first-time criminal charges.
Common Kendall County Probation Terms
If you’ve been convicted of a crime in Kendall County, Illinois, you may be ordered to complete a term of probation as part of your sentence. This will allow you to stay in your community, with some conditions, under the supervision of a probation officer instead of serving time in jail or prison.
The courts in Illinois can impose the following terms during your probation sentence:
- Barred from using firearms – A probationer may be prohibited from possessing, buying, or dealing with guns or other weapons
- Abstaining from drugs or alcohol – Most offenders, especially those whose crimes involve drugs and alcohol, are usually ordered to abstain from those substances while on probation.
- Therapy – Some offenders may be ordered to attend therapy as part of their probation.
- Barred from driving – A probation sentence may also involve the suspension of your driving license.
- No traveling outside the jurisdiction – In some cases, offenders are not allowed to travel outside the state or country during the period of their probation.
- Pay financial restitution – A probationer may be ordered to pay restitution to the victim of his crime.
Different factors determine the terms and conditions of your Kendall County probation sentence. These include the gravity of the offense, your prior criminal record, and the skill and experience of the attorney you retain.
If you’ve been charged with a crime in Kendall County, you should hire a reputable criminal defense attorney to protect your rights and lower your potential penalties. Not only will a great attorney be able to help you avoid incarceration but they will also be able to negotiate the terms of your probation with the judge and prosecutor. As former prosecutors, the attorneys at The Law Offices of Andrew Nickel know how to advocate for a favorable resolution in the courtroom, and we’ll apply that ability directly to your case to help you begin moving forward.
Kendall County Probation Office
You can find the Kendall County probation office within the Kendall County Courthouse. It is located at 807 W John St, Yorkville, IL 60560. The phone number of the office is: +1 630-553-4180.
While many of the reasons you may be asked to visit the probation office are routine and expected, there may be instances in which you are unexpectedly called in. If you ever feel unsure about a situation like this, be sure to call an attorney. Anything that looks like an investigation warrants the presence of your lawyer to prevent you from accidentally incriminating yourself.
About the Kendall County Probation Department
The Kendall County Probation Department is responsible for monitoring juvenile and adult offenders. The department is also charged with supervising criminal defendants.
The department offers services to individuals on probation. Some of these services include:
- Probation investigations – These investigations are carried out to determine the appropriate sentence or penalty for convicted offenders.
- Felony DNA Testing – Sometimes probation officers demand that offenders on probation take DNA tests. There are many reasons for requesting a DNA test. The most common, however, is that you are the subject of a criminal investigation.
- Drug tests – The court can order offenders on probation to undergo drug tests for prohibited substances like cocaine, marijuana, and heroin.
- Curfew monitoring – The courts can impose curfews on individuals on probation as a condition for their release. The curfew condition must, however, not be excessive.
- Social history reports – The court may sometimes order a social history investigation on an offender. The probation officer will conduct the investigation and write a social history report which will enable both the offender and victim to address the court.
- Counseling – This is usually a part of the conditions for those on probation. The counseling may be for substance abuse or violent behavior.
- Secure detention and supervision – Probation officers can hold parole violators and other offenders in secure detention and supervision. The secure detention will last until there has been a hearing, or until the person has been repatriated to another US state.
- Public service – The probation department also supervises individuals who have been sentenced to public service as a condition of their probation.
The department rehabilitates and educates offenders, thereby ensuring that probation terms are not violated. However, mistakes and misunderstandings can happen.
Kendall County IL Probation Violation
Sometimes, individuals on probation are accused of violating the terms and conditions of their sentence. When they do this, they risk being taken to court for a hearing and additional sentencing.
After the hearing, those found guilty of probation violation will face further punishments. Probation violators can receive one or more of the following penalties or sentences:
- Warnings – Probation officers have the discretion to give hearing notices to probation violators. They can also choose to issue a warning. Warnings are usually given to those engaged in simple offenses and first-time offenders.
- Fines – Fines are a lenient form of punishment and the courts impose them for minor offenses and violations.
- Jail or prison terms – Probation is usually an alternative to jail, but if you violate the terms of your probation, the court can send you to jail or prison, depending on the severity of the crime.
- Probation extension – The court has the right to extend or shorten the probation period for an individual.
- New probation terms – The terms and conditions of your probation can be changed by the court. A common way to achieve this is to have your lawyer file a motion in court stating why the terms should be changed.
Listed below are the most common ways individuals violate their probation terms:
- Failure to report to the probation officer
- Involvement in domestic violence
- Failure to cooperate with required drug testing
- Failure to enroll in treatment
- Failure to complete community service work
- Getting arrested for another criminal offense
False accusations are a common cause of probation violation charges, but some probationers are simply unaware of the terms of their probation. Other times, they adopt a carefree attitude towards the terms and inadvertently violate them.
Thankfully, with the guidance of experienced criminal attorneys like those at The Law Offices of Andrew Nickel, it is almost impossible to be confused about the probation process. Through reliable legal advice and advocacy, we have helped countless people on probation to get positive results during their hearings and stay compliant throughout the term of their sentence. We’ve also successfully represented clients who have been accused of violating their probation.
Kendall County Juvenile Probation Center
Occasionally, young persons under the age of seventeen get on the wrong side of the law. And when they do, they may be put on probation. Courts, schools, law enforcement, and other state agencies may refer children and adolescents to juvenile probation centers.
One of the core duties of the Kendall County juvenile probation center is to provide essential services to young offenders in the community. The juvenile center is concerned about the welfare of youths who enter the justice system and aims to rehabilitate them.
The center has a goal of intervening and preventing delinquency and enhancing the health and safety of youths in the community. Of particular interest to the juvenile center are youths and their families who are most at risk of getting involved in criminal activities.
The particular service that is provided by the center will depend on the facts of each case. If your child or teen is facing criminal charges in Kendall County, contact Nickel Law Offices for more information.
Kendall County Probation Payment Options
There are numerous reasons a probationer may need to make a payment. While each case varies, common reasons include restitution, court fees, supervision fees, and more.
If you’ve been ordered to make a payment to the Kendall County Probation Department, your payment options include:
- Credit cards.
- Debit cards.
- Cashier’s check.
- Online payments.
To make an online payment, you will need to have your driver’s license number or case number ready. Also keep in mind that you will need to make any payments by midnight the day before they are due. If you’re making a payment on its due date, you will need to appear in court to prevent adverse action from being taken on your case. Your attorney can provide further guidance if you have questions about payments.
Role & Responsibilities of Kendall County Probation Officers
As a probationer, your probation officer will be closely involved in your case. While they may seem to have your best interest in mind, they also could land you back in jail.
Kendall County probation officers are empowered to arrest and detain offenders or those they suspect of violating the terms of their probation. Because of this, it’s important to be mindful about what you say and do in their presence.
Probation violations can land you in trouble if not handled well. That’s why you need to talk to an experienced Yorkville criminal lawyer who can help protect your rights. If you want more information on your probation issues, call us today to schedule a free consultation. We look forward to hearing from you.