Fulfilling community service hours is commonly one of the conditions that courts issue in a criminal case. If you must complete hours of community service to fulfill those conditions, you must ensure you render those services complete and on time. If you plan on finishing those hours soon, here are four mistakes to avoid if you don’t want repercussions or any more problems with your case.
Waiting Too Long
That’s a common mistake. Maybe, you think you’re still months ahead. If you have a million things to do and a busy schedule, it’s easy enough for the details to slip through the cracks. By the time you remember, weeks or months have passed, leaving you with a short timeframe to complete your service hours. If you don’t want to be in a rush, start rendering those hours as soon as you can.
Choosing the Wrong Organization
Before you render service hours, make sure the organization is recognized or accepted by the courts. Look for platforms that help you render court-ordered community service in your area. Some programs are useful in letting you know which places or organizations fit the bill. Verify that information. That way, you’ll know where to go to render your community service.
Record Your Community Service
You need proof that you have rendered your service hours. Courts have different ways of requiring you to record those hours. While they may not all request the same proof or format for your recording, know that it is required. Some courts will ask for written proof so you will need to provide all pertinent details of the service. When did you start? How many hours did you complete for every session? What did you do? Include a brief description of the tasks you handled. Some courts have a format of their own that you will need to follow. Make sure you check the correct format for the proof, so you can submit yours on time.
Giving Up
Maybe, you’re running out of time. You forgot. You lost track of the weeks or months. You got busy trying to find ways to put the case behind you. And before you know it, your time is nearly up. If that happens to you, don’t despair. Instead of giving up altogether, show the court the hours you completed. Talk to your lawyer and communicate your request more time. That can help you get your deadline extended. In some cases, the court may decide to set a review hearing because you failed to meet the deadline for your service hours. Still, try to complete as many as you can. It shows effort, and that can count in the courts.
Not Using Tools
There are online platforms and tools that you can use to help you render your community service hours. Some allow you to find locations in your town where you can complete those hours. Some may provide suggestions on where to go. Look for those platforms and tools if you need help with the process.