What is the difference between “regular” probation and “deferred adjudication” probation?
• “Regular” probation occurs when the court finds the Defendant guilty, sentences the Defendant to a specific term of confinement within the available punishment range, but suspends imposition of that confinement for a specific period of time. During that time, the Defendant is required to abide by specific conditions of probation (see below). If the Defendant violates a condition of probation, they can be arrested and brought before the court for a hearing, limited to a determination by the judge, regarding whether the alleged probation violation is true or not. If the court finds that the probation violation is true, the Defendant can be sentenced to the original term of confinement, or sentenced to a reduced term of confinement, or continued on “regular” probation. • “Deferred Adjudication” probation occurs when the court does not sentence the Defendant to a specific term of confinement, but instead defers finding the Defendant guilty for a specific period of time. During that time,
