Parole fines.. can they just ask for $300 like that?

[mybabyinjail]

Hi, Hes from PA.

Hes got a job been working for 2 months now, he made arrangements with parole to pay them $50 a week (He owes 7k in total in fines/restitution), which he has been doing. He was saving up for a car so he could get to work, he had saved $800 bucks- which was sitting in his room since he doesnt have a bank acount yet. Parole searckhed his room, told him they saw it when he checked in with them, and he recieved a letter stating they wanted him to pay $300 like that or he will go to jail! To add, he was doing more hours than what the 50 a week was agreed upon.

So my question is: Are they allowed to turn around after agreeing to 50 a week, and ask him to pay 300? If so how is he supposed to save his money to get things he needs? is there something that can be worked out instead like a higher rate paid weekly, like $70 instead of $50.

And,

Can they see what savings he holds in a bank account? he is reluctant to put his money in a bank because he is worried that they could freeze all his savings and take the money.. in the same way are trying to take 300 now??

[bobble60]

This is something he has to work out with his parole agent and supervisor. If his agreement was with the court to pay $50/week, then all his agent can do is hold him accountable to that agreement. (The payment of fines, restitution and costs is between the defendant and the court, not parole. Parole can only impose a condition that he pay according to an agreement with the court.)

As a rule, parole can't access his bank account without obtaining a warrant, but they can always search him and his home. To get a warrant, they have to convince a judge that a crime is being committed.

Now, from the agent's point of view, $800 in cash lying about the house could be signs of criminal activity, which is why he's giving the parolee the option of paying down his debt rather than investigating further. Obviously, if he has pay stubs to support that amount, he'd prevail in the end, but is it worth the fight?

I agree that the situation is flimsy and I've never heard of it before. I think his first best action is to try and hammer out an agreement with his agent and supervisor for a little more paid on a weekly basis as long as his income remains this high.