Whats probabtion?

Question

i no this may sound like a silly question cause ppl may think its just one of those things you know... but i dont. i also hear on the news... "they were sentenced to 12 years probabtion." so what is probabtion? is it just the term for jail?

Answer 1

Probation is a period of time in which the convicted person will have to regularly check in with a probation officer and follow stipulations set by the court to prove he or she is going to walk the straight and narrow. These stipulations will likely include not being allowed to associate with known felons, hang out in places that are known to be problematic, not drink, etc. If it was a traffic violation, they may have to refrain from driving after dark or at any time other than to go back and forth to work. If probation is breached, the person has to go back to serve the rest of his or her sentence.

Probation is a period of being watched. While not pleasant, it definitely beats being in jail.

Answer 2

It's kind of like being put on restriction by your parents. Only, if you mess up again within the probation time frame, you get sent to your room for a very long time.

Answer 3

its bad

Answer 4

Well, when someone commits a crime they get into trouble and can go to prison.  Prison costs a lot of money, about $40,000 a year.  Probation is a lot cheaper, about $1000 a year.

Since most people do not want to go to prison, the Court gives them an option.  Do what we tell you, and you won't go to prison.

The Court will usually impose requirements that are related to the crime.  A drug addict will have to go to drug counseling and take drug tests.  A s*x offender would have to go to s*x offender counseling.  A vandal would have to pay for repairs.

As long as the guy on probation does what he is told, he will be okay.  If he violates probation he has broken the contract and he could end up going to prison.

For example:  Person A commits a robbery that would get him 4 years in prison.  He gets 3 years probation.  He does 2.5 years on probation and then steals a car.  Person A then would have to go back to Court.  The Court could then sentence him to 4 years in prison for the original robbery and another 1 year for car theft.

Probation differs from parole in that parole is after a person gets out of prison.

Take Person A again.  He goes to prison for 4 years, but he behaves himself and gets out after serving just 2 years.  He would then be on parole, usually for the remainint 2 years.

Answer 5

Probation is not jail.  It is a type of diversion plan used by courts instead sentencing someone to jail or prison.   It is commonly offered to first offenders in felony theft or drug cases.  

Once on probation your are generally required to report to a probation officer periodically during your probationary period.  You are subject to random drug testing and you waive any privacy rights concerning searches of your residence.

While on probation you are prohibited from voting or possessing firearms.  Technically you are restricted as a felon, however, upon successful completion of your probationary period, you may petition the court to have you case dismissed.  If you succeed, then your case is dismissed and you are no longer a felon and your voting and gun rights are restored.

Additionally, if you violate the conditions of your probation (positive drug tests, get arrested on new charges, etc.)  your probation can be violated and you can receive the same prison or jail sentence you could have received prior to being placed on probation.