My boyfriend was arrested yesterday on a misdemeanor charge which has already been dismissed, BUT he is on 3 misdemeanor probations in other counties which he is in violation of due to failure to report. He is on probation for a misdemeanor in Gwinnett County, Dekalb County, and the City of Norcross; I believe he reported 1-3 times at each this past spring (2006)before lack of transportation got the better of him. I am interested in any information anyone might have had with this type of situation in these counties; specifically how long before the case was reviewed by judge, does anyone know with these particular counties is it common practice to be released immediately back onto probation (i.e. not get sentenced to serve any more time in jail than it takes for his case to go the judge). This would be the first violation on all 3 of the probations; I know I've heard it is typical for a 1st violation of misdemeanor probation to simply be held for a few weeks until case is reviewed and then be immediately released back onto probation; is there any truth in this? And is there a set period of time by which the case must be reviewed? Can this time in jail waiting to go to court be in any way run together, or will he have to go to each jail and wait a few weeks or whatever on each seperate violation? Also, what can I do to help expedite things? I am planning to contact his lawyer from one of the cases, but I was wondering just how much that will or will not help in this situation. Are letters to the judge or probation officer in his favor from his work or the community a good idea? In the past 6 months he has really made a lot of ground in pulling his life together; he's started a new business with a partner, and he has given a good bit of his expertise,time, and resources to several seperate projects of students', etc., who couldn't otherwise afford his services. Would citing these activities in his life maybe help- I'm thinking to show that he is changing his life in a positive, constructive way? I greatly appreciate any and all input!

