BIBERAJ & SNOW, PC
Prepare Today to Protect Tomorrow
REFERRED TO VASAP, CCP OR ADS BY THE COURT?
Some Tips to Help Keep You Out of Jail
The judges believe that you and you alone are responsible for doing everything that is required of you by the Court. Blaming problems on your probation officer or counselor will not be well received. If you are unsure about your obligations, ask. If you haven't heard from your probation officer, call them yourself. If you are unsure about whether you have to be at your appointment or not, go anyway.
Keep your Appointments
People constantly fail to go to their appointments because they lack the funds to enroll in the program. Not having any money is not a valid excuse for missing an appointment. In fact, there are few, if any, reasons that are a valid excuse for missing an appointment. Go. If you don't go, your case will be returned to court, and a jail sentence will be imposed.
Don't Use Mind Altering Substances Before your Meetings - or at All
How stupid can you be? What is the worst thing you can do after being referred to VASAP, CCP or ADS for drug or alcohol use? Answer: Use drugs or alcohol - the same things that put you in the program to begin with! 100% attention is expected in VASAP, CCP and ADS programs, and that doesn't happen when people use alcohol and drugs. The Court will deal with you harshly. The judges find such behavior inexcusable.
Keep your Address Current
Notices are mailed to participants in the VASAP, CCP and ADS programs. If you don't receive the notices because your address is not correct, you will quickly find yourself standing in front of a judge on a Rule to Show Cause, trying to explain to the judge why you should not go to jail. Don't put yourself in that situation.
The Financial Dilemna
The judges view of the financial hardship of VASAP, CCP and ADS participation is very simple: If a person has enough money to get gas in the car and alcohol or drugs in their system, then they can find a way to pay for the program. Deal with it. WARNING: Non-payment of VASAP fees could result in you losing your restricted license!
Restricted Licenses
Are exactly that. If you get a restricted license, your legal obligation is to follow it's conditions to the letter. Any places that you are permitted to drive to must always be by the most direct route. You are not permitted to go off course to the grocery store or any other place. If you are convicted of driving outside the restrictions on your license, you can be jailed and lose ALL driving privileges. Driving on suspended is the charge that sends more people to jail than any other charge in the General District Court!
Please, think before acting. Don't let your own poor choices be responsible for putting you in jail.
