Probation: What you need to know
The offender can escape being locked up or jailed by being on probation.
They may instead spend time at a rehab center, a group home, or their own house. In circumstances involving drugs or alcohol, a mandatory rehab stay is frequently required.
In this piece, we’re going to learn all about probation starting with how it works. Getting the help of a criminal defense lawyer is warranted if you’re unsure about any of this.
How does probation work?
Ordinarily, non-violent, minor offenses are the ones for which probation is most frequently issued. It is granted to first-time offenders, adolescents, and other people who don’t pose a threat to the public’s safety.
The criminal court system does not always offer probation as a choice. Even for first-time offenders, certain felonies call for a prison term. Past criminal convictions may also restrict a probationer’s ability to request probation in the current case.
The first step is for the court to decide what constitutes “home” for probation. It might be your apartment or home. However, if you live with people who have a criminal history or if you have a domestic violence conviction, that could be a problem. In some circumstances, the judge may mandate that you relocate to a treatment facility, a group home, or another type of facility.
Who cannot be released on probation?
Not everyone can be released on probation. At least, not easily. A federal white-collar criminal defense lawyer might be your way out if your situation is very difficult or tricky.
Who cannot be released on probation:
1. A prisoner accused of breach of trust by public servants, forgery of valuable security, and will and documents used as a genuine forgery.
2. Does not grant the release on the grounds of kidnap or abduction
3. Does not allow the release of habitual offenders
4. Prisoners involved in violence that causes grievous hurt
When can a person be released on probation?
Instead of prison time for less serious actions, the judge could recommend probation. Allowing you to continue living in the community while you serve your prison sentence, can lessen the strain on the prison system. In this scenario, you would continue to meet regularly with a probation officer.
If you are sentenced to prison, you will submit a petition for probation as soon as you are qualified. The committee that will decide whether or not to grant you probation will likely meet with you after that.
Get the help of a lawyer from a reputable law firm, such as Stracci Law, where you can often find a suitable personal injury and criminal defense lawyer easily.
What are the essential conditions of probation?
There are some essential conditions for probation. Here are a few of them:
- No additional offenses may be committed by you (and must report any law enforcement interaction)
- You cannot relocate without the court’s permission.
- You must schedule a meeting with your probation officer.
- You need everyone else who is on probation or has a criminal record to survive.
- You might be subject to movement limitations, such as being only permitted to go from home to work, or a curfew.
- Possession of illicit substances, alcohol, or sexual objects may be restricted.
- Possession of weapons, including firearms, may not be allowed.
- Wearing an electronic monitoring gadget may be necessary.
Release on good conduct
If the court convicting the accused person decides that it would be more appropriate to release the offender on probation for good behavior (rather than immediately punishing him) due to the offender’s age, character, or antecedents, as well as the circumstances surrounding the offense’s commission, it may order the offender’s release upon his signing a bond, with or without sureties, to appear and receive his sentence when required during such period (not exceeding one year). Only if the subsequent requirements are met is such a release permitted:
● There is no evidence of a prior conviction against the offender.
● When the offense for which the defendant is found guilty does not carry a death penalty or a life sentence, and the defendant is a woman of any age or any male person under the age of 21.
● When the offender is over the age of 21 and the crime for which they were found guilty carries a maximum sentence of seven years in prison or a fine only.
What happens after a probation violation?
If your probation violation was deemed minor or simply an error, there’s a strong possibility you’ll only get a warning.
You must show up in court if your probation officer requests that you do so for hearings like those for probation revocation hearings since failing to do so could result in a harsher punishment or jail time.
You will have the chance to present your case in court. This is an opportunity for your criminal defense attorneys to provide a justifiable explanation for why you decided to break your probation for the first time to avoid a conviction.
The judge will take into account many things. If you violate probation for the first time, you can receive an extension of your sentence.
Probation violation in Indiana is pretty difficult to clear from your record. You will need the legal help of an attorney or law firm to mitigate the implications.
