When you’ve committed a minor crime and have been sentenced by the court through the legal process, chances are good that you might not actually end up serving time in jail. That depends on your offense. Instead, you might find yourself roaming around the community normally – but under a set of strict regulations and guidelines. You have probably been placed on what the legal system calls probation.
However, serving your time outside jail might end in an instant – and you could find yourself going behind bars for real. This will happen if you commit any kind of probation violation that might not only end your probation, but put you into prison for a long time.
What is Probation?
Probation is a sentence that serves as an alternative to jail or prison. This is usually given to persons who are first-time offenders or have committed only a minor offense. Instead of serving jail time behind bars, you will be allowed to remain in the community like a regular person with liberty. However, you will be subject to a set of strict guidelines and regulations as to how you must behave and act during probation time.
What Violations Can Be Committed Regarding Probation?
Being under probation doesn’t guarantee a free life outside of prison. You are still under watch of the court of law. You might still commit a probation violation that might affect your chance to be out of prison.
Some violations that can be committed include breach of the any of the guidelines prescribed by the court, such as skipping community service, failing to gain employment under probation, or testing positive in drugs or alcohol.
Aside from that, you can even worsen your chances of getting out of jail if you have committed another offense while you are under probation for a different one. In fact, you might even make your sentence longer and more severe.
Why You Shouldn’t Violate the Probation Rules
Committing violations under probation will do you no good. It will bring some serious consequences, such as giving additional conditions, prolonging your probation, or worse, eventual incarceration. They might still reinstate your probation, but they will surely add more guidelines that you better not violate.
Therefore, you must not do anything that violates the probation imposed on you. Once you get to follow them. Your chance to get off the prison hook will be closer to reality.