I Know I Don't Want to Go to Jail. But is Probation Any Better?

What Is Probation? The court will place a person on probation at the time he or she is sentenced for a crime for which he or she has been convicted. Being on probation Misdemeanor or summary probation: A superior court judge will place a person convicted of a California misdemeanor offense in probation. Contrary to popular belief, no probation officer is assigned when a person is placed on probation unless he or she is convicted of a California felony crime. Misdemeanor probation for a California DUI offense, for example, generally lasts three (3) years, during which that person will incarcerated IF he or she fails to complete the terms of his or her probation. Not completing an alcohol education program (in a DUI), failing to complete a domestic batterers’ program (in a California domestic violence case) or failing to complete a drug education program (in a California drug possession case) will result in a probation violation. A judge will issue a bench warrant for that person and he or she will be subject to arrest as well as a new allegation of having violation probation. There are other ways of running afoul of a judicial probation order, for example, in a DUI case, if the convicted person drives with a measurable amount of alcohol (even .01 percent) or is caught driving with a suspended or revoked license. If you are currently on probation, it behooves you to contract a local, affordable and effective criminal defense attorney who will move for EARLY TERMINATION OF PROBATION so that you are not vulnerable to these possibilities. Even the slightest deviation from the terms of your probation can result in your being “violated” and facing mandatory incarceration. If you are accused of having violated your probation, our West Covina criminal defense attorneys can go to court for you and have your probation reinstated (known as “probation revoked and reinstated”) so that you are able to resume your life without facing incarceration. If you failed to complete your community service, alcohol program, domestic battery program, community labor or any other term of your probation, our probation violation defense lawyers can go to court for you to combat the charges and ensure that your probation resumes uninterrupted. Again, we can also pursue the TERMINATION of your probation in many instances. Felony or formal probation: The court will put you on formal probation if you are convicted of a felony. Generally, the terms are more severe than misdemeanor probation. Oftentimes, you will be subjected to “search and seizure conditions” where the police can search you any time of day or night without having to obtain a warrant. If you were convicted of a California drug crime, then you will be subjected to random drug testing or randomized drug testing by the probation office. Your mobility may be limited, particularly with any California sex crime, as you may be unable to leave your jurisdiction. If you are on formal felony probation, our West Covina felony probation lawyers can obtain the early termination of your probation. Call us NOW: 626-827-7222 Follow us on Instagram: @Coimbralaw Follow us on Facebook: Facebook.com/SanGabrielValleyLawyer Visit us online: CoimbraLaw.com