Question: December 4 was the official date that my 5 year felony probation sentence was set to end. I've been trying for a week to get my release/first offender paperwork from my PO but he's avoiding me, and having contacted the judge's office I know that my paperwork has not been sent there. I have absolutely no violations or fines to pay. With no foreseeable resolution in sight, I'm wondering if I am still subject to the terms of my probation or am I back to being a citizen with rights? And also if there is any way to circumvent my PO and get this mess handled so I can start the process of rebuilding my life?

Answer: Just because you have not reached your PO, does not mean your PO is avoiding you. Your PO cannot collect anymore money from you, and wants you off his/her supervision list. I suspect that the PO is processing the paperwork. I'm curious: If the PO has had a family emergency like a death in the family, would you realize how self absorbed you still are (even after the 5 years on probation) in thinking that you are somehow the reason he has been unavailable. Probably not. No foreseeable resolution in sight will turn into resolved in a matter of days. What are you looking to do that you cannot do? Carry a gun is the only thing I can think of. If you have been on reporting probation for five years, you either have violated your probation a number of times or have a sex offense. The maximum period of supervision is two years. You indicated that you have violations, so you were either illegally on reporting probation for the last three years, or you have a sex offense. I don't know what the sex offense was about, but the tone of the question indicates that you lack patience, lack empathy and are extremely self absorbed, maybe even bordering on narcissistic. Have you not been rebuilding your life for the last five years while you have been on probation? If it is a sex offense, you better make sure you are registered if required, or you will right back on probation. Good luck.

Answered By Lawrence Lewis - Criminal Defense Attorney Lawrenceville