What is county probation?

Probation is a suspended state prison or county jail sentence.[723] In other words, instead of doing the full amount of time in custody (in prison or jail), you can stay in the community under supervision and be required to follow certain rules and conditions.[724] The primary purpose of probation is rehabilitation.[725]

All probation sentences are different. However, there are some standard conditions that apply to most, if not all, people on county-level probation in California. If you have a disability, you should get certain accommodations on probation, so make sure you see PG. 186 to learn about requesting the accommodation(s) you need. Each county is responsible for running its own probation department, and each of these departments has its own specific rules.

  1. 723

    Cal. Penal Code § 1203.1(a).

  2. 724

    Cal. Penal Code § 1203(a).

  3. 725

    People v. Scroggins, 191 Cal. App. 3d 502, 505 (1987).