Probation is a judicial act that allows a convicted criminal to remain free in society instead of serving a sentence in prison. Probation is most frequently granted by a judge to juveniles or to people who have been convicted of an offense other than the most serious crimes, such as armed robbery, murder, or rape. Probation gives such people a chance to prove that they will not repeat their crime. The word probation comes from the Latin word for prove or test.
Many criminologists believe that probation encourages good conduct by the probationer (person on probation). Probation enables the offender to avoid the harmful effects of being imprisoned with experienced criminals. It also costs the taxpayers less than imprisonment because a probationer does not have to be fed, clothed, housed, and guarded in a jail.
When a judge decides to grant probation, he or she places the offender under the supervision of a court official called a probation officer. The judge also sets the period of probation, which can range from six months to five or more years. During this time, the probationer must follow certain rules of conduct called conditions of probation. The probationer also must meet regularly with a probation officer to discuss any problems or other matters connected with the case.
At the end of the probation period–if the probationer has avoided getting into trouble–the trial judge releases the probationer from all supervision. But if the conditions of probation have been violated during the probation period, the probation officer may report the violations to the judge. The judge may send the probationer to prison for the original crime if the wrongdoer has violated any of the conditions of probation.
Probation differs from parole and pardon. Parole is the release of a convict who has served part of a sentence. A pardon excuses a person from any punishment for a crime.
