F
Feeling helpless
Guest
(In California)In 11/97, my husband was convicted of poss. of meth and given a 3 yr. suspended sentence and 3 years probation. Among his probation conditions were not to drink to excess, and not take any medications without a doctor's prescription. He quit doing meth, spent 90 days in a residential treatment program, and has stayed out of trouble since then. 1 1/2 yrs ago, our county started a "drug court" program and without any notification, included all probationer's with drug convictions. They change the rules on a regular basis, and any non-compliance means an immediate 7 day jail sentence with appeal or hearing. The 7 days apply whether you miss a 12-step meeting, or don't participate at all and continue using. In the last month, the probation office has now said he can have a violation for drinking a beer (that for the last almost 2 years was okay) have said that he can no longer take medication that is prescribed by his physician, and he is currently doing a 7 day violation for drinking excess water, altho' he has a prescription from his doctor that he needs to drink at least 8 glasses a day for medical reasons. My question is this: sholdn't he be able to request a hearing before they can violate his probation for following his doctor's orders? Also, shouldn't there be some notification in changes to his probation terms before they can give him a violation for breaking the new rules? This last violation cost him a job he was supposed to start that day, altho' they also threaten him for being unable to pay his fines etc. This is the third job he has lost directly due to drug court. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated, and sorry for how long this is.