Not checking in with your probation officer and getting arrested on new charges will get you into trouble, probation violators found out Wednesday when they appeared in Lawrence County Common Pleas Court.

Carlos Ferguson, 32, of 512 Oakmont Drive, Huntington, W.Va., admitted he violated his probation, also known as community control sanctions, when he was arrested in West Virginia and failed to report to his probation officer.

Judge D. Scott Bowling sentenced Ferguson to three months in prison but allowed that time to be served concurrently with any prison time he receives for charges in West Virginia. Ferguson was on probation for an early conviction on criminal trespass charges.

Bowling sentenced another probation violator, Reginald Kinstler, 33, of 602 Coal Bank Hollow, to time already served in jail awaiting resolution of his case and 200 hours of community service. Bowling also extended Kinstler’s probation by a year.

Kinstler, who was on probation for a criminal nonsupport conviction, had asked for leniency, telling Bowling he had a job and has managed to stay out of trouble.

“I’ve not done drugs in three years,” Kinstler told Bowling.

Bowling replied, “I believe you that you’re trying.”

Bowling also ordered Kinstler to pay toward his child support arrearage. Records indicate Kinstler owed more than $9,000 as of November 2011. Kinstler violated his probation by failing to pay his child support arrearage and by failing to report regularly to his probation officer.

William Howell, 36, of 2437 S. 10th St., Ironton, pleaded guilty to one count of misuse of a credit card. Bowling sentenced Howell to four years community control sanctions under intensive supervised probation (CCS/ISP) and serve 200 hours of community service. Howell must also pay $1,100 in restitution to his victim.

“My client is a married man, he has a 19-month old son and he is sole bread winner of his family,” Howell’s attorney, Warren Morford explained.” He admits his responsibility and culpability in this matter.”