Vermont Statutes Title 28. Public Institutions and Corrections, § 304. Disposition alternatives upon violation of probation

(a) If a violation is established by a proceeding conducted in accordance with section 302 of this title, the court may, in its discretion, revoke probation and require the probationer to serve the sentence that was suspended or order that the sentence be served in the community pursuant to the provisions of chapter 6 of this title.

(b) As an alternative to revocation and imposition of sentence as provided in subsection (a) of this section, the court, in its discretion, after a violation has been established, may:

(c) Prior to ordering either revocation or an alternative sanction for a violation of probation in accordance with subsection (b) of this section, the court shall consider, but has complete discretion whether to follow, sanction guidelines established by the Department of Corrections pursuant to subsection (e) of this section.

(d) No plea agreement shall limit the court's discretion under this section.

(e) The Department of Corrections shall adopt rules pursuant to 3 V.S.A. chapter 25 that establish graduated sanction guidelines for probation violations as an alternative to revocation and imposition of the original sentence. These guidelines do not grant the Department any authority to impose sanctions for probation violations.