Probation Violation

What Happens When a Probation Violation is Filed Against Me? An Illinois Criminal Lawyer Explains

February 20, 2026 | by James G. Dimeas, Esq.

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If you are on probation in Illinois and someone tells you that a probation violation has been filed against you, take it seriously. Very seriously. I have represented people charged with probation violations for more than 32 years, and one of the biggest mistakes I see people make is waiting too long to deal with the problem. They assume it is just another court date. They assume they can explain what happened to the judge. They assume that because the violation seems minor, nothing serious is going to happen. Those assumptions can get you into trouble.

Probation is usually given to someone instead of a jail or prison sentence. That is the good news. The bad news is that when you are placed on probation, the judge is giving you an opportunity to stay out of custody while requiring you to follow certain rules. If the court believes you broke those rules, the judge can bring you back into court and reconsider what happens to you. Depending on the case, jail or prison can be back on the table. That is why I tell clients not to treat a probation violation like some routine technical problem. Before I do anything else, I want to know exactly what probation claims happened, what evidence exists to support that allegation, and what sentencing exposure my client is facing if the judge finds a violation. Those are the questions that matter.

What Does It Mean to Violate Probation in Illinois?

Can I Go To Jail If I Violate My Probation in Illinois?

September 12, 2017 | by James G. Dimeas, Esq.

Violation-of-Probation Whenever I get a phone call from someone who is facing a Violation of Probation, the most common question I get is whether they will go to jail for their Violation of Probation? This is another impossible question to answer. While everybody wants an answer to their question, some questions are just too difficult to easily answer. This is perhaps one of the most difficult question to answer. Let me explain why.

Let’s talk about what probation is. Probation is one of many possible sentences that you can receive when you are found guilty of a crime. There’s two ways you can be found guilty of a crime. The first is if you go to trial and the Judge or Jury finds you guilty. The second way that you could be guilty of a crime is if you plead guilty and are sentenced by the judge for the crime that you pled guilty to. Probation is a sentence which allows you to be free and living in the community subject to certain conditions and certain requirements. Probation is for a certain period of time, and you will be supervised by a Probation Officer whose job is to make sure that you follow the rules and to notify the court if you did something you are not supposed to do, or didn’t do something that you were supposed to do. The rules vary from case to case. Most people that are sentenced to Probation are required to follow the following rules:

-Report monthly to the Probation Officer. (In person or over the phone)

What Can Happen if I Violate My Probation?

April 11, 2017 | by James G. Dimeas, Esq.

Violation-of-Probation If you have been placed on Probation this means that you either plead guilty to a felony, or were found guilty after a trial of a felony, and received a sentence of Probation from the court. A sentence of Probation is the sentence that you receive just short of going to jail. The court will require that you do certain things such as get a mental health evaluation and follow all treatment recommendations, get a drug and alcohol evaluation and follow through on any of their recommendations, perform community service or SWAP, get a high school diploma, or whatever other conditions that the court may require. Every case is different and the terms of the Probation will vary from case to case. While you are on Probation you cannot violate the law and you must appear for every court date and for every meeting with your Probation Officer. Plus, you must pay all the fines, fees and court costs.

If you plead guilty to a misdemeanor, or were found guilty of a misdemeanor after a trial, the judge could sentence you to Court Supervision, Conditional Discharge, or convict you of the misdemeanor. If you receive Court Supervision or Conditional Discharge, you will be sentenced to a period of Probation that will usually be supervised by the Social Services Department. The Judge will also impose conditions to the Supervision or Conditional Discharge which could be like the requirements placed upon those who receive Felony Probation. If you are convicted of the misdemeanor and sentenced to Misdemeanor Probation, the same Probation Department that monitors felony Probation will monitor your Probation.

When you are sentenced to Probation, or to a Probation type sentence for a Misdemeanor, just before you are sentenced, you will plead guilty to the charges. This is very important to remember because if you do not successfully complete your Probation then you cannot go back into court and challenge the criminal charges against you. You have already plead guilty so the issue of your guilt or innocence is closed. By pleading guilty you admitted that you did what you have been charged with and you are giving up your right to go back to court and fight the charges.