Dictionary of Law
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probation :: legal definition


Probation - n. a chance to remain free (or serve only a short time) given by a judge to a person convicted of a crime instead of being sent to jail or prison, provided the person can be good. Probation is only given under specific court-ordered terms, such as performing public service work, staying away from liquor, paying a fine, maintaining good behavior, getting mental therapy and reporting regularly to a probation officer. Violation of probation terms will usually result in the person being sent to jail for the normal term. Repeat criminals are normally not eligible for probation. Probation is not the same as "parole," which is freedom under certain restrictions given to convicts at the end of their imprisonment.

See also: attorney-client privilege and Related Law Terms ↓


Related Law Terms

administrator :: n. the person appointed by the court to handle the ... e also: administer executor probate
apparent authority :: n. the appearance of being the agent of another (e ... e also: agency ostensible authority
claim against an estate :: n. upon the death of a person and beginning of pro ... ade to the heirs. See also: probate
codicil :: n. a written amendment to a person's will, which m ... the writer. See also: probate will
estate :: n. 1) all that one owns in real estate and other a ... ife estate probate real estate will
executive clemency :: n. the power of a President in federal criminal ca ... ernor. See also: commutation pardon
jurisdiction :: n. the authority given by law to a court to try ca ... Superior Court Supreme Court venue
legatee :: n. a person or organization receiving a gift of an ... eficiary devise devisee legacy will
notice :: n. 1) information, usually in writing in all legal ... Thirty-day notice three-day notice
pardon :: 1) v. to use the executive power of a Governor or ... also: amnesty commutation reprieve
probate :: 1) n. the process of proving a will is valid and t ... e also: administrator executor will
sentence :: 1) n. the punishment given to a person convicted o ... ence restitution suspended sentence
special administrator :: n. a person appointed by the court in a probate pr ... or administrator. See also: probate
trust :: n. an entity created to hold assets for the benefi ... testamentary trust trustee trustor
will :: n. a written document which leaves the estate of t ... will and testament probate testator

Popular Law Searches

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Other Law Terms - P

paid into court :: adj. referring to money deposited with the clerk o ... differences. See also: interpleader
pain and suffering :: n. the physical and mental distress suffered from ... l damages special damages suffering
palimony :: n. a substitute for alimony in cases in which the ... the relationship. See also: alimony
pander :: 1) v. to solicit customers for a prostitute. 2) n. ... ons or favors. See also: prostitute
panderer :: n. 1) a person who panders or solicits for a prost ... special interests. See also: pander
panel :: n. the list of people selected to appear for jury ... or jury duty. See also: jury venire
paper hanger :: n. slang for a person who criminally writes and ca ... ey in them. See also: forgery fraud
par :: n. 1) an equal level. 2) the face value of a stock ... common stock preferred stock stock
paralegal :: n. a non-lawyer who performs routine tasks requiri ... h less than that for the attorneys.
paramount title :: n. a right to real property which prevails over an ... n's claim of title. See also: title
parcel :: n. a defined piece of real estate, usually resulti ... See also: real estate real property
pardon :: 1) v. to use the executive power of a Governor or ... also: amnesty commutation reprieve
parens patriae :: (paa-rens pat-tree-eye) n. Latin for "father of hi ... pport custody divorce guardian ward
parent :: n. the lawful and natural father or mother of a pe ... natural parent. See also: adoption
parental neglect :: n. a crime consisting of acts or omissions of a pa ... usive or sexually predatory person.
pari delicto :: adj. equal fault. See also: in pari delicto ... al fault. See also: in pari delicto
parish :: n. 1) a geographic area served by a church (partic ... overnmental equivalent of a county.
parody :: n. the humorous use of an existing song, play, or ... l significance. See also: copyright
parol :: adj. oral. See also: parol evidence rule ... oral. See also: parol evidence rule
parol evidence rule :: n. if there is evidence in writing (such as a sign ... or contradict the written document.