You have been defending yourself, but it’s clear that it’s possible for a guilty verdict to be reached. Your attorney’s job isn’t just to get you acquitted, though. He or she fought to make sure you get the lowest possible sentence for your actions in the event of a conviction. In this case, one of the best things you can hope for is probation.
Probation is the suspension of a jail sentence, which allows you to stay in the community with a few additional rules. Essentially, your life doesn’t have to change much at all, and you have avoided prison. Under the court-ordered rules, you may need to check in with your probation officer regularly or refrain from committing similar crimes.
Probation lasts for different lengths of time depending on the crime. For most people, it lasts between one and three years. After the probationary period is finished, you can go back to living your life normally without needing supervision or additional court dates.
What kinds of terms do probationary periods have?
Typical probationary rules include going to court during scheduled appearances, paying fines, not leaving the state without permission, obeying the law, submitting to alcohol or drug testing and meeting with your probationary officer regularly. Usually, the terms of probation are based on the kind of crime you committed. People convicted of drug crimes may be required to submit to drug testing, for example, while those convicted of fraud may have to avoid using computers or certain technology.
Probation can be a positive outcome for your case. Your attorney can help you fight with a strong defense to make it a possibility.