If a defendant pleads guilty and gets probation, does that mean he got away with it?
Probation is a sentencing option, ordered by the court that may allow a convicted offender to remain in the community. It is not a “free ride”. In practice, it is a suspension of a jail/prison sentence in exchange for the defendant’s agreement to abide by conditions set by law and the court. A Probation Officer monitors the defendant’s behavior and compliance with the court ordered conditions. The defendant’s freedom is conditional and failure to abide by the terms of probation can result in revocation and imposition of a jail or prison sentence.
It is always important to remember that when a defendant pleads guilty it is a good situation. When a defendant pleads guilty is shortens the amount of time it takes for your case to be resolved. It will also relieve the victims and witnesses from having to testify at trial. A probated sentence is often misunderstood, and thought of as a “free ride” for the defendant. Probation requires the defendant’s active participation that he/she is required to report to a probation officer in court monthly. These monthly monitoring court dates can last from 6 months to 5 years depending on the duration of the probation that is set by the judge. The defendant will also be required to pay fines, court costs, monitoring fees, fees to the public defender, and restitution to the victim. If the defendant does not fulfill all of the special conditions of his/her probation, it is likely the defendant will have to serve jail time.
Probation is a sentencing option, ordered by the court that may allow a convicted offender to remain in the community. It is not a ‘free ride’. In practice, it is a suspension of a jail/prison sentence in exchange for the defendant’s agreement to abide by conditions set by law and the court. A probation officer monitors the defendant’s behavior and compliance with the court ordered conditions. The defendant’s freedom is conditional and failure to abide by the terms of probation can result in revocation and imposition of a jail or prison sentence.
