The biggest difference to know about being on probation as opposed to parole is that there is very little difference between their functionality, personnel or requirements. Probation and parole are both alternatives to incarceration, but they serve different purposes and occur at different stages in the criminal justice process.
Probation is a court-ordered sentence that allows an individual to remain in the community under supervision instead of serving time in jail or prison. It is typically granted to individuals who are first-time or low-risk offenders. Probation comes with conditions, such as regular check-ins with a probation/parole officer, maintaining employment, attending counseling, and avoiding any further legal trouble. If the terms of probation/parole are violated, the individual may face additional penalties, including incarceration.
Parole, on the other hand, is the conditional release of an individual from prison after they have served a portion of their sentence. Parole is granted by a parole board based on factors such as the prisoner’s behavior in prison, the nature of the original offense, and their readiness for reintegration into society. Like probation/parole , parole comes with conditions that the individual must adhere to, including regular meetings with a parole officer and compliance with specific rules. Violation of parole conditions can result in being returned to prison to serve the remainder of their sentence. While both probation/parole and parole involve supervision and conditions for release, probation/parole is an alternative to incarceration, whereas parole is a form of early release from prison.
When an individual successfully completes probation or parole, it signifies that they have fulfilled all the conditions set by the court or parole board, marking the end of their formal supervision. Upon completion, the person is no longer required to check in with a probation or parole officer, and any restrictions or requirements tied to their supervision are lifted. This means they regain freedom to live their life without the oversight that was part of their probation parole terms. For someone on probation, completion typically leads to the closure of their criminal case, and they avoid further incarceration. For those on parole, successful completion means they have served their full sentence, either partially in prison and the remainder under supervision. Completing probation or parole can be a significant milestone, and should allow individuals to focus on building their lives, restoring relationships, and improving their personal and professional prospects.
Depending on the jurisdiction and the nature of the offense, there may still be lasting consequences, such as a criminal record, and depending on the nature of the criminal charge, just its existence, even in the distant past, can impact employment, housing and many other areas of one's life that you may not have expected. Of particular concern is that being on either probation/parole or parole can put you at an increased risk for additional criminal justice interventions in fairly rapid succession.
Being on probation/parole is often just delaying an inevitable prison stay because it's just a cog in the criminal justice wheel and being on probation or parole can present numerous complications that impact a person's life in various ways.
Individuals must adhere to strict conditions, such as regular check-ins with a probation or parole officer, curfews, and probationers/parolees are often required to attend mandatory counseling or treatment programs as part of their probation/parole conditions, which are designed to address underlying issues that may have contributed to their criminal behavior. First time offenders are usually offered mandatory classes usually coined as “Diversion Programs” and include a variety of subject matters, usually either a series or a regular weekly class, and the court will often promise that graduating from these programs will result in the criminal charge being withdrawn.
Here are 10 things you can do to successfully complete a sentence of probation/parole or parole.
Listen to the Judge and read the probation/parole terms carefully! To ensure successful completion of your probation/parole /parole, make sure you know, understand, and follow the restrictions placed on you. Your best resources are your attorney and probation/parole officer.
Document everything.
Do not travel out of the county without letting your probation/parole officer know.
Ask your probation/parole officer what the travel restrictions are and follow them to the letter. If you need a letter from the probation/parole office, wait for them to send you one. Be sure you travel with it in your possession.
Know what your obligations are when you receive probation/parole. Do not guess and do not wait; find out the day you are placed on probation/parole.
Document everything.
If you are required to register as a sexual offender, do it.
If you are required to register as a felon in your city, county or state, do this immediately AFTER your sentencing hearing and BEFORE you see the probation/parole officer on your first visit.
People convicted of sexual offenses typically have to register their address. Registering makes it difficult to rent a house or apartment and makes it hard to find a job, and you may not really pose a risk to the community. This is all irrelevant. One of the last things a judge or district attorney wants to be accused of is letting a sexual offender off the hook who then harms another person. So, if you are cited by your probation/parole officer for failing to register, your attorney will have a tough time convincing the judge to continue your probation/parole .
Save all probation/parole related paperwork.
Document everything. Make notes during and after each meeting with your probation/parole officer. If you can’t make written notes during your visit, use your voice note recorder on your phone and then write it down afterwards.
Get yourself into the habit of putting your probation/parole and court documents in a single location whether it be an expandable file folder or a milk crate and toss every piece of paper, certificate, and receipt that has anything to do with your probation/parole into it.
Attend all required meetings with your probation/parole officer. No excuses, keep your appointments. You do not want your probation/parole officer to come to your home or place of work looking for you. Missing appointments is typically a violation of your probation/parole. In addition, if a probation/parole officer comes looking for you there is a better chance he or she will find additional violations.
Make sure your probation/parole officer always has your current contact information. If you move, be sure to let him or her know.
Do your best to make a good first impression on your probation/parole officer. He or she has a lot of power.
Be early or on time.
Over communicating is better than under communicating and written communication is preferred (for documentation purposes) over phone calls
Pay your fines and fees. Money is an issue for most probation/parolees. The court typically imposes fines, fees, and restitution on people who receive probation or parole. You will need to get some kind of traditional employment. With a criminal record, that may be easier said than done. Without a job, you cannot pay the money ordered by the court. Even if you find a job, you may not have enough money to pay court-ordered fines and living expenses.
Paying your court costs and probation/parole fees is paramount and failing to do so can result in a violation of probation/parole. Inability to pay court-ordered costs, fees, and restitution can be a defense to a probation/parole violation. Typically, a court must find that a probation/parole violation was willful before probation/parole is revoked. Therefore, the court may continue your probation/parole if you can prove you made a good faith effort to pay.
Keep a detailed record of when and where you searched. For example: “On Monday, Dec. 21, I sent applications to companies A, B, and C.” Even better: “On Monday, Dec, 21, I went to company A located on Main St and applied for a job as a welder. I spoke to Mr. Jones, who is the personnel director for Company A, and his telephone number is 123-4567.”
Keep your receipts until your probation/parole is completed.
Document any conversations you have with your probation/parole officer regarding the fees and fines associated with your case.
Keep a record of your expenses. Rent, power bills, medical expenses, food, and other necessities can be a defense for failure to pay if there is no possible way of paying and you have discussed this with your probation/parole officer.
Attend the classes you are required to attend.
Make a good impression on the class facilitator by participating in the class.
Be on time.
Give serious consideration to going to AA or NA classes for two reasons. If you are cited for a probation/parole violation, your good faith participation in a drug/alcohol program may improve your standing with the court.
Do not associate with people who break the law or engage in questionable behavior. If you are on supervised probation/parole, major lifestyle changes may be required. For example, prior to probation/parole, you could choose with whom you associated. However, probation/parole conditions may forbid you from associating with people who have felony convictions. Probation may also put other restrictions on people with whom you may associate.
Do not associate with people who engage in behavior that will put you at risk.
Do not break the law or do things that could be misinterpreted as breaking the law.
If you need to disconnect from any complex relationships that might not support your desire to successfully complete your probation/parole, now is the time.
If there is a convicted felon who is an immediate family member or someone at your job, an exception typically applies. Tell your attorney and probation/parole officer and get their guidance.
Don’t get arrested or pulled over for a traffic violation.
Frequently drug screens are a requirement of probation/parole. The court may not require you to participate in a drug or alcohol rehab program, although it requires you to prove you are alcohol or drug free with periodic screenings.
Follow traffic laws and avoid attracting police attention.
Keep your license, registration, and insurance current and on your person or in your vehicle.
Pay outstanding traffic tickets.
Make sure your auto indicators are in working order. Don’t get pulled over for a missing tail light or no brake lights.
Don’t speed, run stop signs or traffic lights or even so much as jaywalk.
Don’t loan your car to anyone or at least to anyone who poses a risk of getting stopped. Similarly don’t ride with anyone unless you are confident the person is not involved in any illegal activity that could get you into trouble.
Obey no contact orders and any trespassing orders. All too often, the result of a violation is the problems that created the original charge reemerge, and a second conflict occurs. Or perhaps, no conflict occurs but your partner just wants you gone. The police are called, and you face two charges, a probation/parole violation and new assault charges.
If you are not allowed to be in a certain location, don’t be there.
If you are told not to contact a person or a business, don’t contact them through any means. This includes email, texting, social media, phone calls or carrier pigeons.
Know and follow gun (or any weapon) possession restrictions, which may mean you cannot live in a household with a gun regardless of who owns the gun (weapon).
You will not be allowed to possess a gun due to probation/parole restrictions or a felony conviction.
The restriction may extend beyond actual ownership of a gun or having the gun in your hands. The prohibition can include a gun that is in your home or that you have access to.
Even if the gun is owned by someone else in your household, you could possibly be charged with violating probation/parole.
A weapon is determined by the police officer or probation/parole /parole officer that finds it. For example, if you have a baseball bat by your headboard, move it.
Navigating probation or parole successfully requires vigilance, discipline, and a commitment to adhering to the conditions set forth by the court. While the system can be challenging and sometimes feels like it's designed to trip you up, taking proactive steps—such as documenting everything, attending all required meetings, and abiding by all restrictions—can make the difference between completing your probation/parole and facing further legal consequences. Remember, the goal is to avoid becoming part of the 42% who end up incarcerated due to violations. Stay informed, stay compliant, and prioritize your future over the pitfalls of the system.
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