Aug 30, 2023

Step 2: Understand the 80/20 Rule and how it Applies to Violation Cases

This is really short and easy to understand.

The 80/20 Rule, also known as Pareto’s Law, says that 80% of the effort produces 20% of the results and that 20% of the effort produces 80% of the results. This Rule is important in probation violation cases for two reasons:

  1. About 80% of the people charged with violations of probation, house arrest, parole and community control will have better odds of a successful outcome than they would have had before the pandemic wrecked the CJS. 20% will be worse off.
  2. 80% of the people with Notices to Appear or arrest warrants will underestimate the risk of jail or prison they face. 20% will “get it”. 

The Point: Trying to figure out whether your VOP/VOOC case is more or less dangerous is harder now than before the pandemic.

CAVEAT: Most criminal defense lawyers gave a dead brick and mortar law firm, yet aren’t ready to practice criminal law remotely. They are learning how to run their practice on Full Remote, not just the weekend notes in the home office. Do you want them to learn how to do Full Remote on your case when the CJS is in chaos? 

TIP #2: Hurricane Ivan made us remote in 2004 because the office and my condo had no power for almost four months. We instituted Remote Law a month and a half later in 2005. Now, we have fifteen (15) years of experience with Remote Law prior to the pandemic. We initiated Full Remote Law protocols on March 3rd, 2020, immediately after I won a major felony trial in DeFuniak Springs, Florida. So, look for someone who has experience instead of someone learning on your violation case when pandemic-caused pandemonium is rocking the CJS.