In simple terms, probation is supervision of a particular defendant or accused by the county or state to ensure he remains law-abiding and fulfills certain requirements. After entering a plea, a defendant may be sentenced to probation in lieu of jail or prison time. Although the defendant avoids time behind bars, he must abide by a strict set of rules or face being sent to jail or prison should he violate the probation terms. For this reason, probation is both a gift and a curse.
If you have been sentenced to probation following criminal charges, you should know that you must follow all the rules closely and complete all requirements carefully. No matter what type of probation you’ve been placed on, you must make sure to follow the terms set forth by the judge to the tee. If you are sentenced to probation, you may be required to pay court fines, participate in specific classes or attend counseling, complete community service, and more. Certain requirements will be specific to your case. In general, all defendants sentenced to probation must:
It is important to closely abide by standard and specific probation conditions because the consequences for probation violations could lead to incarceration. Violating even one term of probation can lead to you ending up in jail facing the sentence you could have received had you not been placed on probation, or an even longer sentence. A judge may add or remove certain probation conditions that are specific to your case. Specific conditions might include requiring you to:
For more information about probation terms and the consequences of violating probation, speak with a criminal defense attorney. It may be possible to avoid further penalties with a strong defense lawyer advocating for your interests. Call The Umansky Law Firm or contact us online to discuss your case for free.