Editing Probation (section)

{{Short description|Period of supervision over an offender}}
{{about|criminal probation|the probation service in the United Kingdom|Probation Service (England and Wales)|other uses|Probation (disambiguation)}}
{{distinguish|Probate}}
{{Globalize|date=April 2021|2=the United States}}
{{Criminal procedure (trial)}}

'''Probation''' in [[criminal law]] is a period of supervision over an [[offence (law)|offender]], ordered by the court often in lieu of incarceration. In some jurisdictions, the term ''probation'' applies only to [[community sentence]]s ([[alternatives to incarceration]]), such as [[suspended sentence]]s.<ref>{{cite web|title=Probation and Parole in the United States, 2011|url=http://www.bjs.gov/content/pub/pdf/ppus11.pdf|work=Bulletin|publisher=U.S. Department of Justice|access-date=29 August 2017|date=April 2014}}</ref> In others, probation also includes supervision of those conditionally released from prison on [[parole]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Probation|url=https://www.gov.uk/guide-to-probation/overview|work=gov.uk|publisher=Government Digital Service|access-date=13 June 2013}}</ref> An offender on probation is ordered to follow certain conditions set forth by the court, often under the supervision of a [[probation officer]]. During the period of probation, an offender faces the threat of being incarcerated if found breaking the rules set by the court or probation officer.

Offenders are ordinarily required to maintain law-abiding behavior, and may be ordered to refrain from possession of firearms, remain employed, participate in an educational program, abide by a [[curfew]], live at a directed place, obey the orders of the probation officer, or not leave the jurisdiction. The probationer might be ordered as well to refrain from contact with the victims (such as a former partner in a [[domestic violence]] case), with potential victims of similar crimes (such as minors, if the instant offense involves [[child sexual abuse]]), or with known criminals, particularly co-defendants. Additionally, offenders can be subject to refrain from the use or possession of alcohol and other drugs and may be ordered to submit to alcohol/[[Drug test|drug tests]] or participate in alcohol/drug psychological treatment. Offenders on probation might be fitted with an [[Electronic tagging|electronic tag]] (or monitor), which signals their movement to officials. Some courts permit defendants of limited means to perform community service in order to pay off their probation fines.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Bennett|first1=Brock|title=Community Service Helps Pay Probation Fines|url=https://nowhabersham.com/community-service-helps-pay-probation-fines1/|access-date=29 August 2017|date=18 March 2015}}</ref>