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Understanding Florida Community Service Hours
In Florida community service is a common condition of probation or of diversion programs. Florida community service hours are governed by Florida statute 948.031 which states:
(1) Any person who is convicted of a felony or misdemeanor and who is placed on probation or into community control may be required as a condition of supervision to perform some type of community service for a tax-supported or tax-exempt entity, with the consent of such entity. Such community service shall be performed at a time other than during such person’s regular hours of employment.
(2) Upon the request of the chief judge of the circuit, the Department of Corrections shall establish a community service program for a county, which program may include, but is not limited to, any of the following types of community service:
(a) Maintenance work on any property or building owned or leased by any state, county, or municipality or any nonprofit organization or agency.
(b) Maintenance work on any state-owned, county-owned, or municipally owned road or highway.
(c) Landscaping or maintenance work in any state, county, or municipal park or recreation area.
(d) Work in any state, county, or municipal hospital or any developmental services institution or other nonprofit organization or agency.
How to Complete Community Service Hours
If and when you are ordered to perform community service hours, they will be made a condition of a program or part of a sentence ordered by a judge. You will have to report to a government agency and find a list of eligible programs within your region.
As part of your assignment you will have a set number of hours to complete, and be given a time frame within which to complete it. It may not be possible to extend your due date to turn in your hours, so it is important to diligently complete your hours on time to be successful. As you complete your work for an authorized provider, you will have the provider sign an authorization form where the provider is certifying that you completed your community service. This document is the proof that you completed your hours. You provide this document to your attorney, judge, probation officer, or state attorney as needed depending on your circumstances.
Have you been accused of a crime in Gainesville or North Florida? Call or contact us online to schedule a free consultation in Gainesville Florida.