Probation

Probation is not the worst thing that can happen following a conviction. In fact, probation can be incredibly useful as a tool when a person has been convicted of criminal charges. In helping our clients avoid jail or prison sentences, our experienced team of New York criminal attorneys have been adept at negotiating probation for them instead.

In general, probation will be available to those who are facing criminal charges. Probation means that the person charged agrees to adhere to certain restrictions set by the court for a specified amount of time. We commonly use this type of tactic for our clients to allow a plea agreement to a lesser charge that includes a probation agreement as well. This lessons the charge that a person is convicted with, regardless of what the original crime was.

Part of a probation sentence means that a person must follow the directions imposed by the court. These conditions require that they avoid any habits that are vicious or injurious as well as avoid being in places or around people that are disreputable or unlawful. For some, this could mean a family member or a close friend if that person has also been convicted of a crime. The person serving probation must agree to attempt to find suitable employment or undergo studies or vocational training that will help lead to suitable employment.

Sometimes probation can also include participating in a specified treatment program, such as alcohol or substance abuse programs or completing medical or psychiatric treatments. This can also include theft prevention courses for those who have been charged with larceny, or motor vehicle accident prevention courses for those who have been involved in an accident.

Along with the treatment programs or designated courses, probation might also require the person charged to complete community service hours for not-for-profit institutions, associations, or agencies. This can only be applied in certain cases, such as violations, misdemeanors, youthful offenders or class D or E felonies. Probation might also require a person to pay restitution to those who were wronged by the crime, in an amount that the person charged can make the payment out of pocket.

If the offender is under 21, probation might also include them to attend school in a proper manner, attend a program for youth rehabilitation, or contribute monetarily to the household they are living in.

Once probation has been ordered by the court, the person must report to their probation officer, remain within the jurisdiction of the court granting probation unless granted permission by either the court or the probation officer and some cases may even include electronic monitoring to make sure that the person under probation is adhering to the conditions. The court may decide to impose further sanctions against the person being given probation, but our experienced team of New York criminal attorneys are available and waiting for your call to help negotiate the terms of your probation if you have been charged with a crime to make sure that you can continue living your daily life with as little interruption as possible.