While unsupervised probation is one of the best outcomes of a criminal conviction in New Jersey, there are still rules you have to follow. If you break the rules of your unsupervised probation, you can face serious consequences in New Jersey.
The biggest rule difference between unsupervised and supervised probation in New Jersey is the lack of probation officers. Individuals granted unsupervised probation don’t have to meet with a probation officer regularly. That said, they may have to periodically provide progress reports to the court and abide by several other rules. Break a rule, and you can face jail time in New Jersey. That said, being granted unsupervised probation is often the goal after a criminal conviction in New Jersey. To succeed, New Jersey residents should hire an experienced lawyer to convince a judge of their candidacy for unsupervised probation.
Our attorneys can help you get unsupervised probation after a New Jersey criminal conviction. For a free case evaluation with the Atlantic City criminal defense lawyers at the Law Offices of John J. Zarych, call today at (609) 616-4956.
New Jersey’s Rules for Unsupervised Probation
If you were recently convicted of a criminal offense in New Jersey and sentenced to unsupervised probation, you might be unsure of what that means for you. Although unsupervised probation means New Jersey probationers have a bit of leeway, they’ll likely still be accountable to many rules.
Probation Officers
The biggest perk of unsupervised probation is that New Jersey residents don’t have to check in with a probation officer. Supervised probation requires these regular meetings, including random home visits and drug testing. So, if you are granted unsupervised probation after a conviction in New Jersey, you won’t have to worry about keeping scheduled meetings with a probation officer.
Progress Updates
Generally, a judge will require that New Jersey residents on unsupervised probation appear in court with regular progress updates. During these updates, your South Jersey criminal defense lawyer will illustrate the progress you have made in your personal and professional life since your conviction. The frequency of these updates will be at a sentencing judge’s discretion. Remember, since your probation is unsupervised, it may be more likely that you will have to appear in court for progress updates more frequently.
Mandatory Employment
A common condition of probation in New Jersey is that probationers must obtain and maintain employment. If you are unemployed at the time of your arrest or have subsequently lost your employment because of a conviction, you will likely need to find a job. This can be understandably difficult for New Jersey residents with criminal convictions, even if they are granted unsupervised probation. However, New Jersey judges often require probationers to be employed and this rule is generally taken seriously.
Criminal Activity
Just because unsupervised probationers don’t have to check in with a probation officer weekly doesn’t mean they can act irresponsibly. If you engage in criminal activity or are arrested for even the smallest infraction, you will be in violation of your probation. This can have serious consequences for New Jersey residents, who can lose the independence that comes with unsupervised probation. Whether you are granted supervised or unsupervised probation, engaging in criminal activity is against the rules.
Other Rules
There are many, many rules a New Jersey judge can impose on a probationer. Unsupervised probation just means that probationers don’t have to meet with a probation officer. It doesn’t mean that a judge can’t hold you to a very high standard. Be prepared for a judge to impose multiple strict rules upon you, especially if you are granted unsupervised probation.
What Happens if You Break the Rules of Unsupervised Probation in New Jersey?
Breaking the rules of unsupervised probation can have serious consequences for New Jersey residents. Not only can your probation be revoked, meaning you can go to jail, but you can face additional charges for a probation violation.
If you break the rules of your unsupervised probation, a New Jersey judge will not be pleased. When a judge grants probation, especially unsupervised probation, they place their trust in a defendant. If you break that trust, a judge may have a strong reaction. A lenient judge may change your probation type to supervised and extend it. A strict judge may revoke your probation altogether, which means jail time. Depending on the severity of your violation, you may face additional criminal charges.
Unfortunately for some New Jersey probationers, the rules of unsupervised probation can be difficult to comply with. It may feel like you’re destined to fail, especially when a judge imposes seemingly countless rules. If you feel discouraged or fearful that you’ll unintentionally violate the rules of your unsupervised probation, ask your Ocean City criminal defense lawyer for help. Your attorney can give you advice and help you avoid making mistakes that could constitute a probation violation in New Jersey.
How Can You Get a New Jersey Judge to Grant You Unsupervised Probation?
Although there can be many conditions for unsupervised probation, it is one of the laxest sentences a New Jersey defendant can receive. Clearly, unsupervised probation is preferable to supervised probation or a prison sentence. So, when faced with a sentencing hearing, New Jersey defendants need to learn how they can have the best chance of being granted unsupervised probation.
You don’t just get unsupervised probation in New Jersey. A judge must grant it, meaning an attorney must fight for it. If you’ve recently been convicted of a crime and are facing sentencing, reach out to an experienced Ventnor criminal defense lawyer. Our attorneys can argue for unsupervised probation by illustrating your community ties and your commitment to growth.
Remember, probation of any kind is not guaranteed. Generally, New Jersey judges will grant unsupervised probation in instances of misdemeanors like disorderly persons convictions. That said, if you’ve been convicted of a drug offense and engage in certain drug diversion programs, your attorney may be able to get you unsupervised probation.
Call Our Criminal Defense Attorneys After Your New Jersey Arrest
If you’re facing a sentencing hearing in New Jersey, reach out to our experienced attorneys. For a free case evaluation with the Glouchester City criminal defense lawyers at the Law Offices of John J. Zarych, call today at (609) 616-4956.
