Please help!! 6 yr old case-cant get in touch with Probation Officer

[WhoKnows234]

New Jersey

I have an old charge against me from 6 years ago that still hasnt cleared. I was ordered to do probation and neglected it the first time, however, Im working to do it now. My license has been suspended and I cant do anything to get it back until I do this. However, I have attempted to find my probation officer and no one can help me. I have called my countys probation office, left messages on numerous peoples voicemails, I have sent an email to the director of the probation program in my county and he sent me an email back that my case was no longer in that office it was in the township court. Now the problem is...is there is no way to get in contact with anyone in this court. There is no phone number to call about this and if I go in there is a line of people that have set court dates and they wont give me the time of day to talk to anyone. Im trying my hardest to get this done and get this out of the way! I need my life back! Can anyone help me figure out what to do??

 

[ceara19]

New Jersey

I have an old charge against me from 6 years ago that still hasnt cleared. I was ordered to do probation and neglected it the first time, however, Im working to do it now. My license has been suspended and I cant do anything to get it back until I do this. However, I have attempted to find my probation officer and no one can help me. I have called my countys probation office, left messages on numerous peoples voicemails, I have sent an email to the director of the probation program in my county and he sent me an email back that my case was no longer in that office it was in the township court. Now the problem is...is there is no way to get in contact with anyone in this court. There is no phone number to call about this and if I go in there is a line of people that have set court dates and they wont give me the time of day to talk to anyone. Im trying my hardest to get this done and get this out of the way! I need my life back! Can anyone help me figure out what to do??

Have you checked with your local law enforcement office to see if there is a warrant out for your arrest for probation violations?

 

[WhoKnows234]

No I havent checked. Wouldn't they come to my house with an issued warrant if there was?

 

[seniorjudge]

Q: No I havent checked. Wouldn't they come to my house with an issued warrant if there was?

A: Not necessarily. It is your responsibility to get in touch with the probation people. If you cannot find your probation officer, go to the probation office and talk to someone (i.e., another officer). Make sure you can document your visit; ask the officer for something in writing.

 

[garrula lingua]

Probation probably has you as a 'closed case' - they notified the court that you 'abandoned probation'. The court then, normally, would revoke probation (to stop the time) and issued a bench warrant.

Your best bet is to go to the courthouse where your case was heard.
Be prepared to be remanded (taken into custody) at court.
The clerk should send your file into the courtroom; the Judge should appoint a Public Defender; the court should set a Probation Violation Hearing in about two weeks & order a rap sheet/probation report to see if there are any other arrests (in any state) since your grant of probation.

If you turn yourself in at the courtroom, the Judge will be at the most sympathetic poiint to grant an OR release & set the PV Hearing. Judges love when you come into the courtroom through the front door & not the jail bus (it never looks like you turned yourself in, when you go to Probation or police - they have to arrest you & court will be scheduled later).

The consequence of you PV is entirely up to the Judge.
The Judge may ask for a recommendation from the Prosecutor (who will probably make one even if not asked) or, rarely, Probation (they're supervisors & you failed supervision).

 

[WhoKnows234]

Q: No I havent checked. Wouldn't they come to my house with an issued warrant if there was?

A: Not necessarily. It is your responsibility to get in touch with the probation people. If you cannot find your probation officer, go to the probation office and talk to someone (i.e., another officer). Make sure you can document your visit; ask the officer for something in writing.

I called and emailed the probation office and they are the ones that told me that my case was no longer there its at the local town court. However, there is no one to call there and you cant go in and talk to them unless you have a summons or have somene to speak with...the court is always backed up. Thats why I am lost. I have exhausted my options.

 

[Bretagne]

Then write a letter, and address it to the probation office, the local prosecutor, the court administrator, and the judge, and send four copies registered or certified mail. That way, if you get banged on a warrant, someone will have your letter in their file as evidence that you are trying to get things taken care of and that will help you.

You should also speak with an attorney, because I'm kinda surprised that your license got suspended over a bench warrant. Unless you were on probation for some kind of alcohol offense. A local attorney will know more about New Jersey administrative law and procedure.

 

[garrula lingua]

Probation probably has you as a 'closed case' - they notified the court that you 'abandoned probation'. The court then, normally, would revoke probation (to stop the time) and issued a bench warrant.

Your best bet is to go to the courthouse where your case was heard.
Be prepared to be remanded (taken into custody) at court.
The clerk should send your file into the courtroom; the Judge should appoint a Public Defender; the court should set a Probation Violation Hearing in about two weeks & order a rap sheet/probation report to see if there are any other arrests (in any state) since your grant of probation.

If you turn yourself in at the courtroom, the Judge will be at the most sympathetic poiint to grant an OR release & set the PV Hearing. Judges love when you come into the courtroom through the front door & not the jail bus (it never looks like you turned yourself in, when you go to Probation or police - they have to arrest you & court will be scheduled later).

The consequence of you PV is entirely up to the Judge.
The Judge may ask for a recommendation from the Prosecutor (who will probably make one even if not asked) or, rarely, Probation (they're supervisors & you failed supervision).

Of course the court is backed up. Too bad.
Go to court, park your bum in line and they will deal with you.
If they can't get you into court that same day, they will give you a date to return.
Do the crime; do the time - including waiting in bureaucratic lines.

 

[WhoKnows234]

Of course the court is backed up. Too bad.
Go to court, park your bum in line and they will deal with you.
If they can't get you into court that same day, they will give you a date to return.
Do the crime; do the time - including waiting in bureaucratic lines.

No you dont understand, they wont talk to me unless I have a summons or an appointment with someone.

 

[garrula lingua]

Are you going to the criminal court line ? (not the civil court or traffic court line)

If you are, and that is the response, look around the courthouse for someone sane.
See if you can talk to any of the bailiffs in the courtrooms (they're in uniform).

Courts are busiest during the morning. If you go later in the day, you may be treated better.

They are the folks you want to turn talk with.
You can go to the local copshop, but it looks a lot better for you if you enter the courtroom through the front door & not in custody.

ummm, the 'old charge' - what is it for ? Not spitting/littering or something such ?

Was it an infraction, a misdemeanor, or a felony ?