'Cookie Monster' Arrested and Released for Violating Probation

Andrew Stine — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 13:53:00 GMT

Probation is a sentence ordered by a judge that allows a convicted criminal to live in society under the strict supervision or regulation by a probation officer. Probation does allow someone to resume somewhat of a normal life but the restrictions are often up to the judge or the probation officer. In this case, the 'Cookie Monster,' Stefanie Woods, was arrested for violating her probation because she failed to turn in a gas receipt, show up for a meeting with a probation officer and failed to be at her designated locations at the time allotted. The prosecuting attorney argued fervently that this convicted felon, with a long history of crime, should not be allowed back into society.

Cookie Monster Crime

Stefanie Woods' history is peppered with serious crimes and arrests. She is most widely known for stealing $168 from Girl Scout Gracie Smith back in 2008. She was also arrested in 2009 for armed robbery and kidnapping. While these charges are extremely serious, Woods has been on probation and has enrolled in Broward College, maintains a 3.57 GPA, and is a "model probationer," as her attorney had said to a judge Thursday, according to WPTV News.

According to the article, the prosecuting attorney was unimpressed by Woods' attempt to turn her life around. He stated "The 22-year-old should be held in jail without bond until her trial because of a past that shows her poor character."

Woods has been released on a $10,000 bond. It will be interesting to see how her criminal defense lawyer handles the rest of the case, as he is attempting to have the violation of probation charge dismissed, with a handful of evidence on his side.

Violation of Probation

In Florida the most common types of Probation Violations are substantive and technical. Substantive violations occur when the Probationer commits a new crime violation. Technical violations occur when the Probationer omits to complete a condition or willfully violates a condition of his probation. If you have violated your probation (whether substantive or technical), you are going to need the expertise and skill of an experienced criminal defense lawyer.

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Arrested for Violating Probation

Andrew Stine — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 17:03:00 GMT

Probation is a sentence ordered by a judge that allows a convicted person to live in society under the supervision of a probation officer, instead of serving time in jail. Probation is different from parole. Parole is the conditional release of a prison inmate after serving part or all of his or her sentence.

Violating probation is a serious charge with many repercussions. Your probation may be revoked.This is an action taken against a probationer who fails to comply with the terms of the probationary grant. A Palm Beach County prosecutor can use a probation violation against someone who has been charged with a new crime. When a formal probation revocation is filed in conjunction with a new case, a prosecutor has a tremendous advantage to force a plea bargain in favor of the state's terms.

When a probation officer decides to revoke or violate a probation and the person is not in custody, a letter is sent requesting a court hearing. Then a judge will make a final decision regarding the probation status and may revoke the probation and incarcerate the person pending a formal hearing.

A 36-year-old Lake Worth man was arrested on Thursday for picking up a rooster at a post office, Boynton Beach police said-report by Wayne K. Roustan, Sun Sentinel

Danny Pham violated his probation on charges dating back to February 2009, when he was arrested with at least four others attending a cockfight behind his home on the 9200 block of Palomino Drive, police said.
More than 100 birds, including several dead roosters, were confiscated at the time, according to a Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office report.

On Thursday, Boynton Beach Animal Control Officer Liz Roehrich told police that Pham was at the rear loading dock of the Boynton Beach Post Office, picking up a rooster for cockfighting and gambling purposes in violation of his probation, she said.

When police arrived in an unmarked car, they saw a postal employee walk out on the dock and hand Pham a white rectangular box with air holes, labeled "live animal."

Pham signed a postal service document, jumped off the dock with the box and walked toward his car. When officers intercepted him, Pham allegedly claimed that he did not understand much English, but said that this was "not his chicken." According to police, he said he was "picking it up for a friend" whose name or phone number he couldn't provide.

Roehrich opened the box, found a rooster inside, and Pham was arrested.
Palm Beach County Animal Care &Control Capt. David Walesky remembers the case of Pham's earlier arrest.

"Normally, we have people jumping the fence and running all over the neighborhood because they know it's wrong," Walesky said. "In that case, I don't believe that he recognized that it was illegal. It was just a cultural thing."
Pham accepted a plea deal that included probation and a ban on contact with any animals.
Pham also was ordered to pay restitution for a national Humane Society reward offered to the neighbor who reported the fight, Walesky said.
"This was the first time in our community that someone accepted a reward of $5,000, I think, for reporting a bloodsport activity," Walesky added.

Florida Probation Violation Defense Lawyer

In Florida the most common types of Probation Violations are substantive and technical. Substantive violations occur when the Probationer commits a new crime violation. Technical violations occur when the Probationer omits to complete a condition or willfully violates a condition of his probation.

Florida law allows a Probationer to receive the maximum penalty, which the Probationer faced when the original criminal charge was filed.

The law Office of Andrew D Stine is committed to representing those Probationers who have violated their Probation or are about to be violated by their Probation Officers.

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