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Chapter 12 - Meeting the Terms of Your Probation

 

Probation is yet another penalty you will need to ensure following a DUI conviction. Understanding all the terms of your probation is vitally important if you want to avoid any future penalties. Being found in violation of your probation terms can lead to an extension of your probation time, increased penalties, and quite possibly jail time, in addition to any time you have already spent in jail.

 

DUI probation requirements

Probation requirements vary by county. Here are the most common terms:

 

  • Wearing of an electronic alcohol monitoring device
  • Installation of ignition interlock device
  • Limited driving privileges
  • Attending AA meetings
  • Submission of alcohol level evaluations
  • Scheduled sobriety tests
  • Periodic reporting to the assigned probation officer
  • DUI court costs and fee payments

 

Probationary period

 

The period of DUI probation depends on the severity of your DUI charges and also on the law of the state, county or court where you are convicted. If it’s a first time offense and it’s not much serious in nature you could get DUI probation of 3 months to 1 year. You can get a longer DUI probation if you are involved in drunk driving resulting in an accident or if someone gets injured, even if you are a first time offender. In other cases of second time offense or multiple DUI charges the probation may last up to 3 to 5 years.

 

Types of DUI probation

 

There are 2 types of probation:

 

1. Court probation: It means that you don’t have to report to a probation officer, but you have to abide by all other requirements of your probation sentence and may include absolutely no drinking and driving during that time period.

 

2. Formal probation: Which means reporting to a probation officer on a regular basis, this can range from periodic telephonic contacts to scheduled meetings in person which may include random sobriety and alcohol level evaluations.

 

The court decides taking in to consideration the circumstances of your DUI charges if a probation officer is to be assigned to you or not. The level of check exerted by a probation officer also varies from case to case.

 

Role of a Probation Officer

 

You are normally required to meet with a probation officer (PO) once a month. During this meeting they will review your progress in terms of completing alcohol classes, community service, paying off fines and fees, and ensuring that you have not been involved in any criminal activity since your DUI conviction. While not all Probation Officers are the friendliest of people – you should treat them politely and courteously given they are officers of the court, and will make the final recommendation to the judge on whether your probation can be lifted.

 

DUI Probation Violations

 

Not complying with any of your DUI probation terms and conditions can lead to serious consequences – so be sure to know exactly what is expected of you and in what time period, so that you can avoid any further punishments as a result of being found in violation of your probation terms.

 

Read Chapter 13 - Getting a DUI Record Expunged >>

 

The DUI Guide - Content

 

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