This section provides general information about probation and tips for being successful while on probation. Please talk to your attorney about any questions you may have after reading the information on this page.

Three Types of Probation

Unsupervised probation: If you are placed on unsupervised probation, you do not need to report to a probation officer. You must obey all laws while you are on probation. The Court may order you to do certain things while you are on unsupervised probation. This may include counseling, M.A.D.D. victim impact panels, community service, getting a G.E.D., paying fines, etc. If you commit a new crime or fail to do what the Court ordered you to do, you are violating your probation. You can be sent to jail or prison for violating probation.

Supervised probation: This is the most common type of probation. If you are placed on supervised probation, you must report to a probation officer on a regular basis. You must obey all laws while you are on probation. You will probably be ordered to make payments, participate in counseling, submit to drug tests, and/or do community service. If you commit a new crime or fail to do what the Court ordered you to do, you are violating your probation. You can be sent to jail or prison for violating probation. Please see below for tips for being successful on supervised probation.

Intensive Probation (IPS): Intensive Probation, usually called IPS, is supervised probation with extra restrictions. In addition to the normal conditions of probation, you will be required to follow a tight weekly schedule. You will have a curfew. You may be ordered to call your probation officer several times each day. Your probation officer or a field officer will check on you often and without advanced notice. Please see the tips for being successful on supervised probation below, but remember, you have additional requirements because you are on IPS. Also keep in mind that if you violate IPS, you are very likely to receive a prison sentence.

Report, Report, Report
Your probation starts the day that you are sentenced. If you are out of custody at your sentencing hearing, you must go directly to the Adult Probation Department after your hearing. If you are in custody at your sentencing hearing, you must go directly to the Adult Probation Department after you are released, or on the business next day if you are released after 5:00 p.m. or on a weekend. If you have already been placed on probation and have not gone to the Adult Probation Department, call the Adult Probation Department immediately. The telephone number is 520-866-5600.

You will be given a date and time to meet with your assigned probation officer. Do not miss that appointment. Make sure you are on time. If you are running late, call the Adult Probation Department and let someone know. At your first meeting with your probation officer, he or she will go over the terms of probation with you. Be sure to ask questions if there is anything you do not understand. You will be held responsible for any violation of the terms of your probation.

You will be required to meet with your probation officer regularly. Do not miss your appointments. Make sure you are on time. If you are running late, call your probation officer and let him/her know. If you miss a meeting with your Probation Officer, do not panic. Your probation will not be automatically revoked the first time you miss an appointment. Instead, call your Probation Officer immediately. Explain what happened and reschedule the meeting.

Do Not Miss Review Hearings
You may be ordered to attend Review Hearings. These may be part of Domestic Violence Court or Drug Court. They may be reviews of deferred fines or jail sentences. Do not miss these hearings. Make sure you are on time. If you are running late, call your attorney and your probation officer and let them know.

Do Not Move Without Permission
While on probation, you must get permission from your probation officer before you move to a different address. Also, you must tell your Probation Officer immediately if your telephone number changes.

Stay Sober
Do not drink alcohol. Do not use any illegal drugs. Do not use any prescription drugs unless you have a valid prescription. You will be tested for drugs and alcohol. If you test positive, you will be violated.

Find a Job and Keep It
If you have a job, keep it. If you don't have a job, get one. Spend time looking for a job every single week until you get one. If you change jobs, tell your probation officer immediately. It is a condition of your probation that you be employed. If you are disabled or enrolled in school, you may not need to work. Discuss that with your probation officer.

Do What You Are Ordered To Do
If you were ordered to do community service, do it. If you were ordered to do counseling or a drug/alcohol screening, do it. If you were given a curfew, be home by that time. If you are having problems doing something you were ordered to do, talk to your Probation Officer. Ask for help. The worst thing you can do is ignore something you are required to do.

Pay Something Every Time
You will be ordered to make payments while on probation. Those payments may include any or all of the following: probation supervision fees, fines, DUI assessments, incarceration costs, restitution, transfer fees, time payment fees, defense attorney fees, etc. If you cannot afford to make the payments, talk to your Probation Officer. Explain your financial situation. If you can't pay the full amount, pay as much as you can. Don't miss any payments. It is extremely important that you pay as much as you can as often as you can. As long as you do that, you cannot be sent to prison or jail for not making your full payments.

Stay Organized
Use a monthly calendar to keep track of your obligations. If you are having a hard time keeping track of what you have to do and when, call the Public Defender’s Office and ask for a Probation Handbook. Look at it every week. Update it as you go.

Remember, the Judge wouldn’t have put you on probation if he or she didn't think you could do it.