What are common conditions of formal probation?

There are some general/standard rules and conditions that apply to most (if not all) people on formal probation, BUT REMEMBER, EVERY COUNTY WILL HAVE DIFFERENT RULES AND CONDITIONS.

Formal probation will often include some of the following rules/ conditions:[761]

    Meeting with your probation officer as often as required, generally once a month;
    Payment of restitution, fines, and fees;[762]
    Participation in individual or group therapy;
    Mandatory drug testing, if you were convicted of certain drug-related crimes;
    Community service;
    An agreement to submit to law enforcement searches of your person, residence, or property with or without a warrant (sometimes called a “search condition” or a “4th Waiver”);
    No contact with victim(s) and following any stay away orders not to harass victim(s);
    Not associating with people who you know are gang members;[763]
    Agreement not to violate any laws.

To challenge or try to change the conditions of probation, see the next question and answer.

  1. 761

    See First District Appellate Project, Probation Conditions: Adults and Juveniles—What Types of Conditions are Unreasonable and Unconstitutional, http://www.fdap.org/downloads/articles_and_outlines/Seminar2011-ProbationConditions.pdf. ↑

  2. 762

    Cal. Penal Code § 1202.4. ↑

  3. 763

    Cal. Penal Code § 186.22(a) makes it illegal to participate in a gang. ↑