Dear Nancy,

I am on probation and want to change the probation officer to whom I report. How can I do so when each time I ask, my question is ignored?

Jean

Dear Jean,

It is difficult to respond to your question without more details. However, some general comments can be made.

It is not known why you are on probation, but there may be some prohibition in your state’s criminal justice procedures regarding changing a probation officer due to the type of crime committed. If there is no prohibition, there may be procedures in place for you to make such a change. Finding this out might be difficult on your own, but if you had a lawyer represent you during the criminal proceedings, he may be able to provide you with the information and then help you make the change.

If you did not have legal representation, you might consider consulting with a nurse attorney or other attorney in your state who can provide you with this information and represent you. The attorney would have to concentrate his practice in criminal law.

If changing probation officers is possible, it may be that there is a specific manner in which you must request the change. As an example, an oral request may not be possible. Rather, a written request, with specified information supplied with the request, may be the only way the request can be considered.

If nothing can be done to change your probation officer, you may need to simply deal with the situation, however difficult and unfair it may be. Remember, probation is a way to stay out of jail or prison (if granted in lieu of jail by a court) or it is a continuation of oversight for a period of time after having been released from jail or prison. What’s important is that you want to continue to stay out of jail or prison and you want to continue your probation to its successful conclusion.

Sincerely, Nancy