Join our newsletter.

What Are The Types Of Probation?

If a person pleads guilty or is found to be guilty following a trial they may be placed on probation as a form of punishment. Quite simply, probation means that the individual does not have to go to jail or prison at all. however, in exchange for not being incarcerated, the individual is has to follow rigid rules and restrictions. For example, the individual will be required to avoid additional criminal offenses and may have to undergo a drug and alcohol evaluation, follow all treatment recommendations and submit to random weekly drug tests. Failure to abide by all the rules and restrictions will result in a violation of probation and may result in incarceration for the balance of you probationary term.

The most common types of probation are as follows:

Intensive Supervised Probation. This is the most restrictive form of probation. In this program individuals are assigned a probation officer and must meet with their probation officer either in person or on the phone 8-12 times a month. Meetings will take place at all hours of the day, 7 days a week. Additional stipulations may include the payment of fines, having a verifiable address, drug and/or alcohol testing, drug and/or alcohol treatment, paying victim restitution, obtaining and maintaining employment, community service and travel restrictions.

Supervised Probation. This is a less intensive program than the intensive supervised probation but still requires meeting with a probation officer, only less frequently. Individuals still must avoid any additional criminal charges while on probation. Additional stipulations may require paying fines, having a verifiable address, drug and/or alcohol testing, drug and/or alcohol treatment, paying victim restitution, obtaining and maintaining employment, community service and travel restrictions.

Unsupervised Probation. Under this form of probation the individual is not being directly monitored or required to check in with a probation officer. Due to the fact that it is unsupervised, this form of probation is reserved for those charged with minor and non-violent crimes. It is important to note that even if there is no direct probation officer to report to that the individual still must comply with any and all conditions and requirements. Conditions may require the payment of fines, having a verifiable address, drug and/or alcohol testing, drug and/or alcohol treatment, paying victim restitution, obtaining and maintaining employment, community service and travel restrictions. Any violation of this form of probation may result in incarceration and/or being switched to supervised probation.

The requirements and options for probation differ in each state and for state or federal charges. Individuals wishing to avoid jail time through probation are encouraged to seek a knowledgeable criminal attorney who can review these different options with you. Attorney Craig Penglase is a former Bucks County Assistant District Attorney who has almost 20 years experience representing criminal defendants and obtaining probationary sentences for them. He is available to discuss these options with you either by emailing him through this site or calling him at 215-348-4416.

Related News & Articles

Most people only associate the word “investment” when they hear about financial planning. Financial planning is a whole lot more. Because people only associate the word “investment” with planning, they fail...

Earlier this year, Pennsylvania passed Act 39, the state’s new wine sale law, which allows alcohol to be sold in more places than in the past. Governor Tom Wolf called it...

Managing family dynamics is difficult enough without having to deal with the extra complexities of addiction and rehabilitation. The stakes in family court cases can rise dramatically when substance misuse is...

Why is it that so many of us leave this world without ever having written a living will? That’s actually a fairly easy question to answer: Very few of us like...

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed our lives seemingly overnight. We should not expect it stop short of effecting child custody disputes and possibly send them into a tailspin. Scenario 1: I...

Do you have a landfill lurching over your backyard? Is your next-door neighbor a nightclub? If not, you can thank your local zoning laws.   What is zoning? What is zoning?...

The purpose of this information booklet is to enlighten you about personal injury law and to explain how your case will be handled by your attorney. Most of the questions that...

Taking on a power of attorney role for a loved one—often, this loved one will be an older family member, likely with failing health or mental faculties—is an enormous responsibility. The...

Life is expensive. If you are like most recipients of disability benefits, your budget is tight. You are always on the lookout for ways to make the most of every dollar...

Does it seem like the insurance adjuster is dragging his feet on your personal injury claim? It may be that the adjuster is stonewalling you – that is, deliberately delaying the...