A person’s probation cannot be violated for just committing technicals.

Most clients who do not violate their probation with new crimes think they won’t or shouldn’t be violated for just committing technical violations. They don’t think it’s a big deal that they failed to report in person, failed to file a monthly report, failed to make any restitution payments, failed to pay cost of supervision, failed to pay their fines or court costs,120 failed to complete their classes,121 failed to perform their community service,122 or changed their address without permission,123 left their place of residence without permission,124 absconded,125 or committed any other technical violations. The truth to this myth is unless the violation is willful and substantial then it doesn’t matter, and sometimes Judges understand that it’s worth giving the client a break as long as he hasn’t committed any new crimes.

Of course the clients who violate their probation with a new crime are always quick to point out that they’ve completed all their conditions of probations and have not committed any technical violations. Therefore, they mythically believe that they should not be violated for committing a new crime, especially if it’s just for what they consider a minor misdemeanor offense. The truth is that depending upon what the new crime is, some Judges will again give the client a break, but not always.126