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In Texas - question about probation officer's home visit

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  • 09-25-2006, 07:58 PM
    ArtMac
    In Texas - question about probation officer's home visit
    This is a question about the probation officer's home visits (from Williamson County) in Texas.

    I have served eight and a half years of a ten year probation and recently have moved in with my girlfriend (after notifying my probation officer with the required ten day heads up). My probation officer visited my girlfriends' (and my) home last Saturday at around 10:00 am. I had just lathered my hair (in the shower) when my girlfriend stuck her head in the bathroom and said something about probation officer at the door. I told my girlfriend to relay that I would be out soon. Less than ten minutes elapsed when I had gotten out, dried, clothed, and answered the door only to find my probation officer had left her card in the door.

    Today (Monday) she called me on the way to a job interview to tell me I had done a terrible thing and that it was going to be a 'black mark' on my record for me refusing to allow her into my home. She was going to "write it as a refusal" and she hinted there was to be some trouble to come (hinted).

    I had thought (I heard this from whom I believe to be a reliable source) that we (probationers) did not have to allow probation officers into our homes, that their verification that we were there is enough.

    Over the past eight and a half years she has visited my home very sporadically - usually four to six times a year. The last year I think she only visited twice (I was at my apartment - prior to moving in with my girlfriend). I have always allowed her access into my home but was of the impression from what I heard long ago that I didn't have to. I thought I was being a nice guy. My girlfriend, not knowing what to do, asked them to wait on the porch until I was clothed.

    My probation officer told me (today over the phone) that she didn't expect to have to wait all day for me to show up and so was marking me as "a refusal" (along with the implied hint of something evil to come).

    My question - do I have to allow probation officers into my home? Did I misunderstand my reliable source of information so long ago, or was he correct?

    I would appreciate your comment on this as I have strived to complete my probation with no trouble so I can get on with my life. I would like to be able to challenge her in the event she surprises me with further punishment.

    Thanks for your time;

    Art
  • 09-25-2006, 08:19 PM
    Mr. Knowitall
    Re: In Texas - question about probation officer's home visit
    You didn't verify that you were there. How is the probation officer supposed to know if your girlfriend is telling the truth. An apology is in order - and it may save you from more grief resulting from this seemingly minor faux pas.
  • 10-24-2006, 07:22 PM
    matt221972
    Re: In Texas - question about probation officer's home visit
    I am not a lawyer I have been through the Texas court system enough to now a little about it. Truthfully, I wouldn't worry about consequences of this ordeal. Your P.O is just trying to scare you into submission. There is no probable cause to say that you were not there, she was just mad because you asked her to wait. They don't like to wait! My only question is if she set up an appointment for a home visit. It is required. Again, I'm not a lawyer, so don't take my word as set in stone.

    good luck
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