Under certain conditions, some people convicted of misdemeanor or felony crimes in Florida can complete their sentence in their own homes or communities. Known as probation agreements, these arrangements are ordered by the court and cannot last longer than the maximum sentence for the crime that was committed.
Are you facing a criminal charge in Florida? Criminal Defense Attorney Brian Gabriel will fight to have your charges mitigated or dropped entirely. If your charges cannot be dropped and you would prefer to sleep in your own bed and enjoy more freedom while still serving out your sentence, Mr. Gabriel will do everything he can to convince the judge that community control is right for you.
What is Community Control in Florida?
Community control in Florida is more serious than regular probation. When defendants are placed on community control, while they are permitted to serve their time at home, they are also required to abide by specific conditions set by the court. Violating any of these terms could mean having their probation revoked, and the individual may be incarcerated.
The Florida Department of Corrections oversees three levels of probation. They are as follows:
- Unsupervised Probation: Essentially running on an honor system, this type of probation is extremely rare.
- Supervised Probation: The most common level of probation in Florida, supervised probation entails checking in regularly with a probation officer.
- Community Control: The strictest form of probation, community control is an alternative to incarceration only available to people convicted of felony crimes.
Community control authorizes convicted felons with the ability to serve their sentence while confined to their home while only being allowed to visit a predetermined list of locations. Typically, these locations include workplaces, schools, and treatment facilities. Anything beyond the list of preapproved places cannot be visited by the individual without first obtaining approval from their community control officer.
What You Can Expect While in Community Control in Florida
Florida community control is an intense supervision program that restricts offenders from leaving their homes unless they are first given permission by their supervising probation officer. Community control conditions are exceptionally strict, and many people in the program fail to complete their sentences without committing a violation.
Furthermore, if you are in community control, you may be financially responsible for costs such as:
- Court fees
- Fines
- Supervision
- Various treatments
- Victim restitution
Most probation sentences only require the probationer to meet with their supervising officer one or more times per month. In some circumstances, the probationer may be subject to visits from their supervising officer while they are at home or work. Conversely, probationers in community control are under perpetual surveillance.
Seek Qualified Legal Counsel from a Dedicated Florida Criminal Defense Attorney
Whether you need legal counsel to fight a criminal charge, mitigate sentencing, or defend a probation violation, Criminal Defense Attorney Brian Gabriel can provide the help you need. Mr. Gabriel has over 30 years of experience defending criminal charges in Florida and will handle your case using all the knowledge and skill developed over the span of his career.
Start with a free consultation today by calling Criminal Defense Attorney Brian Gabriel of The Law Office of Gabriel & Gabriel at (561) 622-5575. You can also complete an online contact form to learn more.