Odd question. When is it okay to violate probation?

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SomeoneiKnow

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Hi, I’m new here. “Someone I know” is on a five year probation for a first offense domestic violence misdemeanor that happened in 2015 (before reversion to the Church). The judge was extremely harsh and the current probation officer is not approachable or even available to communicate with. Consequently, for all practical purposes, in this particular case, conditions do not allow:

-Driving a car
-Changing residence
-Living in a residence where alcohol is present, whether it belongs to the person on probation or their housemate (but, again, moving is an impossibility)
-Changing jobs

This doesn’t include stuff like drinking, going on vacation, etc. which is also prohibited but not necessary for daily life.

“Someone I know” is beside himself with guilt because “someone I know” is aware that the Church advises Her flock to follow all just laws. Conversely, “someone I know” wonders how just these laws really are, as following them to the letter would mean unemployment and other bad things.

Being found in violation, in this case, means a permanent conviction and a year in jail on the other side of the country. I can’t provide more details on this public forum.

Your perspective on this crisis of conscience would be greatly appreciated. God bless.
 
If someone is on probation, they are required to check in with their probation officer periodically, no? You say the PO is unapproachable and not available, but that doesn’t make sense, in terms of not being available for communication.

I would suggest that being arrested for a parole violation and spending a year in jail would be far more damaging to this person’s career than being unable to attend work.

Realistically, what this person needs to do is to get a good lawyer who may be able to see about having the probation requirements relaxed, pointing out there is a just cause for doing so (e.g. employment). Alternatively, the person may be able to look into options such as working from home, depending on his or her abilities.
 
Meetings with probation are no longer being scheduled, hence not answering calls. It’s being conducted via calling in to an electronic phone menu every month.

Legal help/motions have been tried and exhausted at this point.
 
If you’re looking for us to say that Catholicism would let “Someone” violate the law in this case, I don’t think you’re going to find what you’re looking for here.

“Someone” needs to fulfill the conditions of the probation.
 
We are barred from giving legal advice.

Follow the just laws. If you find them unjust, hire an attorney and try to get “their” probation changed.
 
I’ll only say domestic violence is one of the more under punished offenses out there. I’m not sure what “extremely” harsh means relative to other sentencing, but the mere fact this guy is not rotting in jail is certainly not extereme. There is almost certainly reasons for the restrictions. Clearly alcohol is a major factor in this abuse situation, as it often is. I’m also guessing some sort of restraining order has be violated…probably something you aren’t counting as a first offense simply because there was a court order preventing contact. Whatever this person would be ill advised to break any conditions given how far he’s in.
 
SomeoneiKnow said:
Meetings with probation are no longer being scheduled, hence not answering calls. It’s being conducted via calling in to an electronic phone menu every month.
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This does not seem very harsh to me. Calling in once a month. There are some laws which are penal laws which means that if you disobey them you must be prepared to face the penalty imposed by law, but it may not be a sin to disobey a penal law, depending. However, lying is a sin, so it is not acceptable to lie when questioned by probation authorities.
 
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