Probation is one type of alternative sentencing that gives certain individuals a chance to avoid jail time. However, it only works if they can follow the legal orders that are laid out for them. In many cases where it is the defendant’s first charge, they may be able to receive probation instead of jail time as a consequence. Probation generally requires an individual to:
Report to a court-assigned officer regularly.
Stay sober from drugs and alcohol
Comply with consistent supervision and monitoring.
If you break your probation terms, you can face probation violation charges and end up receiving the jail time that you originally avoided.