Advertisement Judge rules Julius Henson violated probation Political consultant made bid to run for state Senate Share Shares Copy Link Copy

A judge ruled Thursday that Julius Henson violated his probation by running for office.Baltimore Circuit Court Judge Emanuel Brown ruled Henson violated his probation by filing to run for state Senate, which means he must serve the remaining four months on his robocall sentence.Mobile users tap here for video.The political consultant filed the necessary paperwork to make his bid for a state Senate seat official on Feb. 20, but the state contended his campaign violated the terms of his probation.Henson faced a summons back to court for a violation of probation hearing Thursday. He was convicted on a conspiracy charge two years ago in connection with the infamous robocalls that suggested to voters that Martin O'Malley had already won the gubernatorial election.He served a 30-day jail term in 2012 after being convicted of conspiracy for the robocalls made on Election Day in 2010. He was also sentenced to three years of probation.Henson argued that the issue came to the definition of "work.""The conflict is over a definition of work. I'm a political consultant by profession. I work. I get paid to help people get elected. I'm forbidden by the state to do that for three years. So, in my campaign running for Senate, the state wants to define that as work. There's no compensation, no payment. The other part of the order said, 'You will not volunteer.' So I'm a candidate, not a volunteer. I don't have a single clue as to why I'm accused of violating probation," Henson said.Henson's lawyer is calling this just a bump in the legal process."He acknowledges this is probably a case of first impressions. There are some gray areas and nuances that have to be addressed, and at the end of the day, we do believe that we're going to be successful based on the case law that's available," attorney Russell Neverdon said.Henson told reporters he isn't looking back. His attorney also confident that the judge's decision will be overturned in appeal and Henson can continue his run for state Senate."We are going to perfect the appeal. We're going to take that as an issue that has to be addressed. Right now, the political process can run its full course with him being a candidate in the 45th (District)," Neverdon said.Henson was originally sentenced to three years' probation and served 30 days in jail.Henson has 30 days to file an appeal and if he loses, will be forced to serve that remaining four months."I will continue to run and consult. Probation is closed," Henson said.Henson was not taken in to custody though pending an appeal.11 News reporter Lowell Melser contributed to this story.