Those ordered to some form of supervision have a 58% rearrest rate. About 1 in 3 (33%) people incarcerated in Florida prisons is there for a technical violation. This means that tens of thousands of people in Florida are having their probation violated and being put back in jail or prison due to a lack of support.

Those on probation must notify their employer of their supervision status, endure their probation officer coming to their home and jobsite, and spend one day a month at the probation office. This creates barriers to employment and lost wages.

The sooner someone can terminate their probationary term, the sooner they can get back to life.

There are a variety of different forms of supervision that have different restrictions. Some of these include:

• Probation
• Administrative Probation
• Community Control (House Arrest)
• Drug Offender Probation
• Sex Offender Probation
• CRD Supervision
• Parole
• Pre-Trial Intervention/Diversion

Also known as "Conditions of Probation", these are the rules by which a person on probation must abide. Conditions may be “standard” or “special.” Standard conditions include payment of costs of supervision, fines, and fees, reporting to the probation officer as directed, remaining employed, and dozens of more requirements. Special conditions can be anything from attending counseling sessions, payment of restitution, community service, or restrictions specific to the charge (such as a prohibition on using the Internet for those convicted of certain sexual-based offenses).

It is not a new violation of the law. It is a violation of an administrative term of supervision that can result in a sentence of incarceration.

A technical violation can include (only a few of dozens of possible conditions):

• Being late for curfew
• Failing a drug or alcohol test
• Inability to pay fines/fees/costs or restitution

We view technical violations as a failure of the individual's support network.

Someone who has a drug addiction needs access to rehabilitative services, not more prison.

Someone too poor to pay their cost of supervision needs financial counseling, job skills training, and job placement, not jail time.

Parole is the release of an incarcerated person prior to the court-imposed date end date. Parole is not a right. It is considered an act of grace by the State. Parole was abolished in Florida for most crimes committed on or after October 1, 1983, and for specified offenses committed prior to October 1, 1995. This means that as of May 2022, there were 3,670 people in Florida prisons that are parole eligible.

This service is free to those making less than 200% of the federal poverty guidelines. There may be government fees and actual costs (such as postage, for example) that must be paid by you.

For a list of common costs and more details about sliding scale fees for those making 200% of the federal poverty guidelines and above, please visit our Sliding Scale Fees page.

Florida Justice Center will not pay any outstanding obligations such as fines, fees, court costs, or restitution.