When you have been placed on unsupervised probation and are anxious to move on with your life or are considering your legal options when you are facing criminal charges, you may be wondering how unsupervised probation ends. If you find yourself placed on unsupervised probation, it will end once you have completed the terms of your probation.
Of course, these terms can vary based on the specific details of your case. When you have been charged with or are facing charges for driving under the influence (DUI), unsupervised probation could be a best-case scenario. With help from a Los Angeles DUI attorney, you could protect your future and avoid the harsh penalties of a conviction.
What Is Unsupervised Probation?
There are two different types of probation you could be placed on under California law. This includes formal probation and informal probation. Formal probation involves supervised probation by a probation officer. If you are placed on supervised probation, you should expect to meet with a probation officer regularly, typically once a week or once a month, depending on the specific details of your case.
Informal probation is unsupervised. You will not regularly need to meet with a probation officer, and will instead report directly to the court as needed. Some of the reasons you may need to report to the court include:
- Change of address
- Submitting proof of completion of probation requirements
- Being arrested again
Unsupervised probation is highly unlikely in California for a DUI conviction, but with the right legal advocate on your side, you may be able to get your charges reduced to an offense that is eligible for unsupervised probation.
What Rules Do You Need to Follow While on Unsupervised Probation?
Despite the fact that you may not need to meet with your probation officer on a regular basis, that does not mean you are not required to follow certain rules and regulations. For example, you are not allowed to commit another crime while you are on unsupervised probation. If you are arrested, you can face criminal penalties associated with the crime you are accused of committing, as well as penalties for violating the terms of your probation.
You may also be prohibited from driving with any amount of alcohol in your system. Although the legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limits for operating a vehicle are set at. 08%, If your BAC levels are at .04% or less, you could still face probation violations. Furthermore, if you refuse to submit to chemical BAC testing, including a roadside preliminary alcohol screening PAS test, you can face probation violations as well.
These are just a few of the more basic rules you should expect to follow if you are fortunate enough to get unsupervised probation in your case. However, there may be other requirements you need to meet before you can get your probation pay case closed.
Are There Other Unsupervised Probation Requirements?
While you are on unsupervised probation, there are specific rules you must follow, but there are also certain requirements you will need to meet. If you fail to meet the terms of your probation, you could be found in violation and face harsh penalties.
Some of the requirements you may need to meet as part of your unsupervised probation include:
- Completion of a driver retraining program
- Pay any fines, court fees, and restitution
- Installation of an ignition interlock device (IID)
- Completion of court-ordered community service
- Completion of a substance-abuse treatment program
- Attending a deterrent program
- Completion of house arrest
- Use of electronic monitoring bracelets
Depending on the specific details of your case, there may be additional requirements the court adds to your unsupervised probation. If you fail to complete the terms of your probation as required, you could have your probation revoked, face additional criminal penalties for this violation, and be required to finish out any jail or prison time associated with the original offense.
How Can You Complete the Terms of Your Unsupervised Probation?
Although you may be overwhelmed by all of the requirements and rules, you must follow when you are placed on unsupervised probation, completing the terms could give you a fresh start.
In order to complete the terms of your unsupervised probation, you will need to complete any court-ordered programs and counseling, pay off fines and court fees, and avoid being accused of violating the terms of your probation. As you complete the terms of your unsupervised probation, you will need to report to the courts and provide them proof of completion.
If you follow these rules and meet the requirements, your probation will be complete once the specified time period has ended. Generally, this is 3 to 5 years from the date you were sentenced to unsupervised probation.
What Happens if Your Unsupervised Probation Is Revoked?
If you are found in violation of your unsupervised probation, there are several penalties you could be facing. You will have the opportunity to defend yourself if you are accused of violating the terms of your unsupervised probation.
However, in the worst-case scenario, you could face revocation of your unsupervised probation. This means you could be placed on supervised probation, arrested, and forced to fulfill the remaining amount of any waived jail or prison sentence. You may also find yourself facing harsher charges.
For example, if the state’s prosecuting attorney agreed to place you on unsupervised probation and reduce your charges from a DUI to reckless driving, but you violated the terms of your unsupervised probation, instead of charging you with reckless driving, the prosecutor could move forward with the previous DUI charges. Your attorney will need to work diligently to help ensure your unsupervised probation is not revoked so you can protect your future.
Contact a Los Angeles DUI Lawyer for Help Today
If you are interested in seeing whether unsupervised probation is a good option for you when you are facing DUI charges, you need a legal defense you can count on.
Reach out to an experienced Los Angeles DUI lawyer for a confidential consultation and start working on your defense strategy as soon as today.
