After learning at Randy had quit school, was unemployed, and was drinking heavily, the Judge decided to place Randy on probation for one year. The conditions of the probation were that Randy report to the Probation Officer at least once a month, attend an alcohol counselling program, provide compensation to the victim, and perform some hours of community service work. With the help of the Probation Officer and alcohol counsellor, Randy controlled his inking, found a job, and fulfilled all the conditions of his Probation Order. Probation made sense for Randy, the victim and the community. When sentencing an offender who has been found guilty of an offence, the Court has several choices.
Probation is the most common choice.
There are nearly 10,000 adults offenders on probation on any given day in British Columbia. Probation is different from parole. Parole involves the early release of adults who have been sent to prison, under strict conditions. Probation on the other hand, is most often used instead of a prison or custody sentence. This can allow the offender another chance to show he can live in the community in a responsible way.