Michael Kramer, Attorney at law

1311 Mamaroneck Ave
Suite 340
White Plains, NY 10605
mk@michaelkramerlaw.com

Call for a Free, 20-min,
Traffic Ticket Strategy Session

(914) 709-7161

Michael Kramer, Attorney at law

Interviewer: You are still allowed to vote when you’re on probation, is that right?

Some Felony Probationers Forfeit Their Voting Rights and Petition for a Relief of Disabilities

Mike Kramer: It depends on the crime you’ve convicted of it. If you’re only convicted of misdemeanor, you don’t lose your right to vote. If you’re convicted of a felony depending upon the state, you may be excluded from voting.

However, there are various areas of relief that you can try to undertake. Mainly, you can apply for what is called the certificate of relief from disabilities which if a judge grants, your right to vote can be restored along with the number of other rights.

Your Freedom to Travel without Advance Permission Will Be Restricted While on Probation

Interviewer: Do probationers lose their freedom to travel, for instance, if they work out of state or want to travel with families for a vacation?

Mike Kramer: One of the conditions of probation is that you’ll not leave the jurisdiction without the permission of the probation officer. Technically, a probation officer can interpret that jurisdiction to mean Westchester County, for example.

Therefore, when you leave Westchester County you are supposed to call the probation officer and ask for permission but it becomes a bit absurd when you travel a mile or two into Connecticut or some other contiguous state.

It may seem burdensome to have to call the probation officer for permission to do that but technically, you have to. With regard to travel overseas or in other states, formal travel plans should be cleared with the probation officer before you do that.

Is It Possible to Apply for an Early Discharge of Your Probation Sentence?

Interviewer: What will happen if I’ve completed, I paid my fines, and I have completed my community service requirement? I still might have six month left on my probation. Can I actually apply for an early discharge of my probation sentence?

Attorney Kramer Advises His Clients as to the Benefits of Developing a Good Relationship with the Probation Officer

Mike Kramer: That would be discussed with your probation officer. I always recommend to probationers that they develop a relationship with their probation officer, especially if they have fulfilled the terms early and it is time to say, “I’ve been doing well. I’ve done everything you wanted. Is it possible it can be terminated early?”

In Rare Instances, If You Fulfill Your Probation Requirements Early, Your Probation Officer Can Make an Application to a Judge for an Early Release

If the probation officer agrees, then they can make application to a judge to terminate the probation earlier. It’s very rarely done because if you’re doing so well on probation, their reasoning is, “Well, just finish the six months or a year you have remaining.” In other words, your probation would to show an overriding need to terminate it early.

One example would be if the probationer is going into the army services. Well, they won’t take you if you have any kind of court supervision over your head so usually people make an application to terminate it early so they can go into the army services.

Michael Kramer, Esq.

Call for a Free, 20-min,
Traffic Ticket Strategy Session
(914) 709-7161