When Does Probation Term Actually End in Missouri
My question involves criminal law for the state of: Missouri.
My fiance was placed on 5 years supervised probation in lieu of incarceration. The start date listed on casenet is 6/4/2007. A little over a month ago, P&P filed with the courts and a review date was set for 5/31/12. Under docket entries, there are no further additions, but his court date is removed, nothing due, and when you sign up to receive updates it says the case is closed. He didn't receive any notifications of the court date via mail, even though his address has never changed. Throughout the duration he has never committed a violation, he completed all community service, and paid all restitution due (which he had to contact the courts to update from two years ago).
Is his 5 year probation period completed as of tomorrow, 6/4/12, or does he need to wait for a letter? I mean, if they say 5 years, receives no letter, and then loses his job on 6/10 would he be in violation? (He's had the same great employer for 15 years, so the job thing isn't likely to happen but it's the only good example I could think of).
He has already left messages for his PO, but he's wondering if he needs to pay intervention fees again this month because they don't have an end date listed. His call-in date is the 4th.
We just really want to know when the official date is, or is it after 5 years, it's done. Plus, we may want to take a trip out of town tonight to celebrate his awesome completion.
Thanks!
Re: When Does Probation Term Actually End in Missouri
His probation would normally continue until he is formally discharged from probation. If for some reason no hearing is held to discharge him from probation, and he appears to be on probation past the end of what should be his discharge date, he or his lawyer can investigate the status of his case with the court and take appropriate steps to ensure that he is in fact discharged. I don't expect that to be necessary.
He should not assume that he is free to violate any term of his probation until he is formally discharged.
If he expects his probation to end as of the 4th, and has a scheduled call-in on the 4th, it's quite clear that his probation will not end prior to that date. He can also ask his probation officer about the status of the discharge, and whether any additional assessments are due, at that time. I assume, as we're now talking "yesterday", he did exactly that - what happened?
Re: When Does Probation Term Actually End in Missouri
Thank you for your reply. He called in yesterday and left another message for his PO - with no response. Today he is headed to the courthouse to request a transcript of the 5/31 review. Then he is going to go park it at the probation office until he can see someone. I'm sure, just like other government agencies, they are probably overloaded and overworked and have little time to return what they would probably consider "unimportant" calls. Of course, he has no intention of committing a violation but just really wants it to be officially over and so do I. Otherwise, until he receives an official letter we'll just hurry up and wait. :)
- - - Updated - - -
Just an update and FYI for anyone who may be searching. He went to the court and they said he was officially off as of yesterday. They said casenet has not been updated due to someone's vacation. Also, they said he would not have received a letter from anyone stating it was over.
I appreciate the information on this site. Hopefully in the future, individuals on P&P will be provided with more information about what happens at the end. This could be a positive thing for them. Some intense searching never revealed the answer to this question so maybe the P&P website should add a, "You just finished your time, what are you gonna do now?" page. Perhaps decreasing some of their call volume.