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Unemployed? Couldn't pay fines, etc.? And the judge didn't wonder where he got the $$$ to pay for those drugs?

This creep probably is responsible for many other crimes including theft to support his drug habit. You can't be a cocaine/heroin user making only $300 a week.

The judge would have to consider the medical need for him to be on medication, and in Smith's case, I'm sure he considered the expense of the medicine to be necessary to Smith's rehabilitation.

When weighing Smith's ability to pay his fines, and whether SMith is willfully refusing to meet the terms of his parole, the judge is required to consider his minimum basic living expenses.

I don't think the judge acted unreasonably in giving Smith time to gain employment and resume payment of fines and costs. It would be unusual to throw Smith back in jail with out other factors indicating he is violating parole.

You know what I wonder? I don't have the dates on the parole hearing, but I was wondering whether it came before or after Wishart's brutal slaying.

It may be that the parole hearing was triggered automatically by the drug test, but it seems to me the parole officer would have KNOWN about Smith's medical prescriptions.

There may have been some attempt to pick up local criminals on account of that crime - I wonder how aquainted local police were with Smith. Maybe they WANTED him picked up??
They're certainly going to be frustrated that they weren't able to give the judge solid basis enough to get him back in the slammer.