When a person is convicted of a crime in Illinois, they may have the option of being put on probation rather than spending time in jail or prison. While probation is often viewed as an ideal alternative, there are terms and conditions of probation that must be followed, and a probation violation can result in serious consequences—including having to spend time in jail or prison.
At the Law Offices of Glenn & West, LLC, our Nokomis and Litchfield, IL probation attorneys are here to answer your questions and advocate for your best interest before the court. Contact us today to learn more.
What Is Probation?
As stated, probation is an alternative to serving time in jail or prison after a person has been convicted of a crime. When a person is put on probation, they are assigned a probation officer who reports back to the court. During this supervisory period, a person must follow the rules of probation. If they do not, they can have probation revoked and be ordered to serve time behind bars instead.
Conditions of Probation
The conditions of probation vary depending upon the unique and individual circumstances of the affected person and the crime of which they’ve been convicted. That being said, common conditions of probation include:
- Refraining from violating any other laws of any state (i.e., not committing a crime)
- Maintaining scheduled meetings with one’s probation officer
- Appearing before the court when ordered to do so
- Refraining from possessing a firearm or other dangerous weapons
- Not leaving the state without the consent of the court or without the consent of one’s probation officer in the case of an emergency
- Performing community service
- Completing sex offender treatment, drug treatment, alcohol treatment, or other treatment depending on the criminal conviction and the order of the court
- Refraining from consuming drugs or alcohol
- Seeking a job and maintaining that job
- Refraining from associating with other persons who are engaging in illegal activities
- And more
It’s very important that you speak with your attorney and probation officer about the terms of your probation so that you understand them in full. If you breach your probation requirements, you could face serious consequences.
Consequences for Violating Probation
The consequences for violating probation, much like the terms of probation, depend on the specifics of your case. The period of your probation may be extended, you may have your probationary privileges revoked and have to serve your original jail or prison sentence instead, or, if you have committed another crime, you may face additional criminal charges and additional time behind bars. If you are released on probation, adhering to the terms of your probation should be your number one priority.
Get Legal Help Today
At the Law Offices of Glenn & West, LLC, our Nokomis and Litchfield criminal law and probation attorneys can help you. If you are facing criminal charges, we can advocate for probation in place of prison time. Likewise, if you have been released on probation and are facing charges for violating your probation, we can offer aggressive defense and representation. To learn more about how we can serve you, please contact our law office today to request a consultation in person, by phone or through video conferencing.
