Probation is an alternative to having to serve a sentence in jail or prison. Unfortunately, this is often a very difficult program for participants because there are so many conditions and rules. For many people, compliance is complicated because many of the things you need to do are difficult due to the fact that you have a criminal record now.
One thing that almost always has to happen is that the probationer has to find and keep a job. They need to show that they are productive members of society. Plus, having a job gives them something to focus on that will hopefully keep them out of trouble.
The need to find a job is one that isn’t as easy as it might seem. Many employers won’t hire a person with a criminal record. The fact that they are on probation might make it even more difficult. In some cases, the probation officer will have some job leads or employers who they know will hire a person in these circumstances.
Once a person on probation finds a job, he or she needs to ensure he or she keeps that job. This is also a challenge for someone who hasn’t ever had to answer to an employer before. It is crucial that they do keep the job unless they have the probation officer’s approval to leave the job.
There are many other conditions that come with being on probation. Breaking any of the conditions can mean that the person is going to have to face a probation violation. This will land them back in front of the judge to face a new charge.
Source: FindLaw, “Probation FAQ,” accessed March 09, 2018