Probation Violation from 8 Years Ago

[Angsea]

What is the name of your state? Missouri

Yesterday afternoon, animal control showed up at my house because my dog had gotten loose. While she was off writing me a warning, two police officers showed up. I thought maybe my dog had caused some trouble or something.

As it turns out, they were there to arrest me for probation violation. Since I haven't been in any kind of trouble or on probation at all for years, I was convinced there was some mistake but of course, I went with them quietly.

My dad had to ransack his home equity line to pay the $10,000.00 bail to get me out of jail but I have a trial date set for this afternoon.

My crime, almost 9 years ago was misdemeanor theft and a warrant has (according to them) been out for my arrest since January of 2000. However, I've been pulled over twice (ticketed once) since Jan 2000 with no mention of this supposed probation violation. I don't understand why or how it's come so out of the blue, and to the best of my knowledge, I never violated my probation.

In May 2003, my home was destroyed by a tornado and any/all records I had pertaining to my case were lost. I can prove that my home was destroyed by a tornado but I have no idea if this will help me.

I'm trying to get in contact with an attorney but it is difficult on such short notice and I'm scared. It is my hope that after 8 years, some statute of limitations will have kicked in but I'm int he dark here.

Can anyone enlighten me on what might happen here or on what I should do?

[FlyingRon]

There is no statute of limitations.
The fact that a traffic stop didn't notice the warrant isn't surprising.
You can ask for a continuation to obtain counsel and also plead for
a bail reduction to pay back your father.

A word with the prosecutor may enlighten as to what the nature of the violation/warrant was.
Were you still living in the location that the PO had when you were first on probation?

[Angsea]

Isn't it too late to get a reduction since we already paid?

I did get in touch with my father's attorney this morning and he said he'll meet me in court so that's good. I asked several of the officer's what I had done to violate my probation but none of them seemed to know.

My attorney indicated that today we'll most likely just be asking for a new trial date.

"Were you still living in the location that the PO had when you were first on probation?"

Yes and no. The warrant was supposedly issued in January of 2000 and I did not move from the address they had on file until May of 2003 (enter aforementioned tornado). So you would think they would have come to arrest me sometime in that three-year-span if there was a problem.

All the mysteries aside - assuming there was something I did wrong without realizing it, such as missing a last payment or not turning in some paperwork (heck if I know, it was eight years ago), does anyone have any idea what kind of punishment I might be facing?