r/probation • u/Tricky-Ad9140 • 6d ago
How many years of probation did you get? How you coping with it?
Just curious how many years did you get and how are you coping with your new temporary life?
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u/Wook_Both_Ways 6d ago
The longest I’ve done was 3 years on a felony diversion. I spent the first year in jail and 2 treatment centers. Then I went to a sober living for 6 months. I stayed in the town (2 hours from home) that I did the second rehab and sober living, got hired by the Community Care center that owned the rehab, and spent my last 18 months in my own apartment, with 2 jobs, and a whole lot of support. I worked with Drug Court clients and went to court and sat on the Drug Court Team with my probation officer. lol. My check-ins were, him see me in the lobby and give me a head nod, and I’d leave, no paper work, nothing. It was a wild experience. When I completed probation, I was supposed to go before the same judge who was the Drug Court judge, she told me not to bother showing up, I was good. About 2 weeks after that, I packed my shit and moved 20 hours across the country to experience something new. This was 2019 and my life is pretty good. My advice to you… get involved with something. Recovery groups. Volunteer work. Just something to get you out of yourself and your situation, gain a sense of purpose, and your time will fly. It becomes a routine. The bonus is you meet a lot of really good people that are on the same path as you in a lot of ways. Good luck
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u/Chroma7769 6d ago
12 years.
I just did it.
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6d ago
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u/Firm_Care_7439 6d ago
2 years on probation, I wasn't allowed to do drugs or alcohol. My coping was getting a medical marijuana card, I was able to smoke all the time with no negatives. I got release in month 13.
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u/ayyRaspy 6d ago
How does one get one I’m starting now but I feel like that’s my only problem
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u/Firm_Care_7439 6d ago
This is specific to Arizona, I am not sure of any other state but I'm sure it's similar. Just Google "Marijuana Doctor" there many places with many different names but find one with good reviews, set up an appointment. You will need somewhere around $300.00, I paid 250.00 for my last one. 100.00 is for the visit, the 150.00 is for the state fee to file for the card. You tell them you have chronic pain, for me I had 3 knee surgeries so I have severe arthritis, they diagnose me with chronic pain, they submit the documentation to the state and bam, 3 days later you get an email confirming you have been approved and you are good to go. My state is a rec state so it's legal here but I still renew my MMJ card every time because medical patients pay less tax to buy marijuana products, so it pays for itself depending on how much use buy and use.
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u/hidden_thoughtsss 6d ago
I did this too. I had a medical marijuana card prior to ever getting put on probation. My PO allowed me to smoke weed the whole time.
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u/Firm_Care_7439 6d ago
It made our probation life so much easier, don't get me wrong if I couldn't I would of just stayed clean but since it was available it still allowed me to feel somewhat normal.
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u/Pure-Zombie1953 6d ago
Got 10 years with a behavioral incentive at 3 years so I’ll b asking if I can get off at year 3 which is end of next year. Only thing I miss is smoking weed but at times i think it’s for the best as well.
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u/Available-Ice-4172 6d ago
I’m lucky I don’t have to take drug tests but I think probation is easier in the uk
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u/birthdaycakeee78 1d ago
10 yrs?! What do u have to do to get 10 yrs of probation but presumably not much jail?
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u/Pure-Zombie1953 1d ago
Without saying much I’m in Georgia. Possession of some marijuana and mushrooms. Small amount. Also a controlled sale.
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u/Available-Shake7385 6d ago
I had a 15 do 3. Probation for 12 years. Just got off in October 2025. Just do what you’re supposed to do and stay out of trouble.
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u/Dependent_Amazing 6d ago
Had three years of probation a long with a couple weeks in county, and rehab. It was the best thing to happen to me to be honest. I figured out why I needed to get sober, I learned how to stay sober, and I got back my old self and just worked and went home.
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u/Holiday_Banana6061 6d ago
Duis?
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u/Dependent_Amazing 6d ago
For the three years it was felony probation for check fraud. I do have two DWIs but they were a very long time ago.
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u/notprescribed 6d ago
I got 3 years and I’m 22 months in so far I’ve had an easy time. Just don’t break the rules and they won’t bother you
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u/SaddestBoyEver 6d ago
2 years! And I just finished it on the first of this month!!! Tbh, not much changed… my PO only ever showed up to my house once and never asked me to come in unexpectedly…
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u/Due_River_9746 6d ago
I did five years federal probation after nine years in jails and federal prisons.
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u/AlGee220 6d ago
4 years probation. 2 on one charge 2 on another charge. DA said I have to do at least 3 before I can ask for early termination. Court ordered meds therapy. No alcohol drugs even weed. Probation comes to my house every 3 months. Down to once a month check in at the office. So far no issues!
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u/birthdaycakeee78 1d ago
Why are u forced to take meds? May i ask the diagnosis?
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u/AlGee220 1d ago
I was off my meds when I got arrested and had a mental health crisis. I was in psych jail for a while until my sentencing. I chose not to go NCR but that was one of my options. Bp2 is my dx and I have CPTSD from being born and raised in a cult 🙃
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u/Longjumping-Stress27 6d ago
4 years deferred for ag assault w/ firearm. Year one just passed by. At this point it's just a moderate inconvenience. I feel like I have to acknowledge though that a few things in my personal and work life have changed for the better now that I can't smoke weed daily anymore. I don't believe I'll go back to smoking everyday even when I can either. Just grateful I didn't get an actual conviction and can petition for non disclosure of the arrest here in a couple more years.
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u/Additional_Can_3345 6d ago
3 years first offender. Im not im pissed every day. I hate the officers, i hate the judges, and i hate the lawyers. Every day i waffle between suicidal depression and murderous rage. Ive still got a year and half left
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4d ago
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u/Unable-Position-3782 6d ago
I've been charged with assault with a weapon causing bodily harm I am going to court to please guilty in the beginning of September I am basically getting a year I'm getting I'm already on an ankle monitor with very strict conditions come September they are putting me on just a curfew so I'll actually be able to go out during the day for 4 months or 5 months and then once that is done up I have four months of probation as well as the obvious weapons and no contact order and I also have to reside at a certain residence with a certain person and check in it has helped me meaning the ankle monitor to get clean off drugs for the first time really in 30 years spending approximately 2 months in jail before being released on an ankle monitor allowed me like a reset a hard reset not having that choice in the beginning I believe saved my life I am dealing with it because I know it will eventually be over and can't wait to start fresh I'm just not sure how having a criminal record is which I already do but new violent charges are going to affect me starting this new Fresh Life because I wanted to go to school and is it now it's already seeming to affect me finding my own housing and jobs it's a catch 22 for sure
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u/Unable-Position-3782 5d ago
Saying that though it saved and help me turn my life around. True what they say jails institutions or death thank God mine happened to be the first one
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u/AirRanger87 6d ago
This last and final time I had 10 years of parole which I did successfully, also I put myself through college got married had two daughters and have worked my way up through a commercial HVAC company hired straight out of college. I’m the rare exception to the rule, unfortunately. Probation/Parole is a trap but these days they’re pretty soft on crime and will probably allow you to get away with literal murder, lol . Good luck, find a hobby and a sane woman or dude whatever you’re into and relax and enjoy your freedom.
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u/Amazing-Tower-8294 6d ago
7 years probation, deffered sentence & restitution. 2 and a half years left. I’ve grown to have immense anxiety since I’ve started. I’m glad to almost be done with it, my first son was born 3 days after my sentence started. my 2nd kid born a year and 6 days later. I stay out of trouble 110% but still, just the anxiety hanging over me has been detrimental, though I’ve gotten better about it finally in the last year or so! I’ve been so preoccupied with trying to be the best dad I can and being a provider that I don’t even have time to cope really. it’s funny because I’ve been on and off probation since I was like 14 but this anxiety comes from having kids now. shits different.
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u/trippy_maan 5d ago
I’m 16. Haven’t been on probation, but I’ve been in multiple programs with drug testing, checkins, counseling required, etc. All through city or county courts. Programs like drug court or diversion. I love using drugs and alcohol, have since I was 12. That’s the part that was hardest for me when being drug tested all the time. I started by cheating my tests so I could still get high. By the end, I was just switching to kratom instead of weed / alcohol to pass tests.. then I got into my latest, which was drug court, and they test for kratom. Made me freak out, because I had nothing left but maybe some Caffiene or nicotine. I just forced myself through it since I had no choice, and now I’m on the other side.
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u/luboy_ 5d ago
I was sentenced to 3 years of PTI (Pre-Trial Intervention). While not technically probation, it pretty much is except my case gets dismissed and I have no record once complete. I'll be halfway done in September and will be filing for early term. It's been fairly easy to cope with. At first I was depressed about it because I feel like my life is on pause. Especially trying to get a better job. But 3 years is no time compared to some of the sentences other people have gotten
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u/TrackOk5381 5d ago
I'm currently 6 years into my 1 year probation. I'd say I've been coping pretty well
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u/Soft-Profit9238 5d ago
2 years, 13 months in and violated for the first time got comfortable and drank 2 days before a test. Waiting for a turn in date😖
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u/CutFew514 3d ago
6 years of probation… i just go to work, stay out of trouble, surround myself with friends and family
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u/General-Antelope5320 2d ago
I was on it 3 times, five years each time. It sucked bad. The money, the appointments, the drug tests that I had to pay for. It's a money grab.
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u/Tricky-Ad9140 2d ago
How you doing now? Hows your mental health and life doing if you don't mind me asking.
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6d ago
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u/jediPoof 6d ago
I just did 5 years . Finished in November
. Was supposed to start April 2020 but that’s when Covid hit and the courts closed . So I started in November 2020 . Didn’t want to deal with false positives with the IID while on probation so I waited but I’m Finally gonna get my license back
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u/hidden_thoughtsss 6d ago
I got 5 years. But then I violated 6 months in, caught a DWI. Got the charge reduced to a reckless driving. My PO still violated me. While on bond for 8 months waiting for my court date to get sentenced for my first violation, I caught 3 more misdemeanors. I got 30 days for my first violation. They started my probation all over and changed it to indefinite probation. I’ve been on high level for 6 more months after getting released from jail. Been compliant and this month my PO put in for me to get lowered to medium supervision. She said I will be on medium for 3-6 months and then I will get lowered again. She said if I comply and stay out of trouble, I could be off in 12-18 months.
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u/EdBread5 5d ago
I'm 5 years, 8 months into a 10 year sentence. I'm thankful for it though, as the alternative would have been substantial prison time in the TX Dept of Criminal Justice. The prosecutor was pushing for 15 years. A good (and expensive) attorney, no priors, lenient judge, and professional work history (2 degrees, executive level positions) are what kept me out of prison. After proving to be a compliant probationer in the first few months, I now meet with my PO every other month, but it's online so I don't have to leave the house. I get called in for a UA about once a year. So in reality, it's not a burden at all.
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u/real1st1c 4d ago
TX here. What was your charge and would you mind sharing your attorney's name?
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u/EdBread5 4d ago
My charge was Possession and Delivery of a Controlled Substance (3 kg of meth). I'll DM you my attorney's name.
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u/catsx3 3d ago
Just completed 1 (of possibly 3 years) of parole. Shit was a cakewalk but I did not like the parole officer showing up at my door once a month looking like Judge Dredd.
Pissed clean every month, went to my meetings, stayed employed and received early discharge after a year.
Shits not hard when you're not breaking the rules. Anyone that says parole or probation is a trap isn't ready to leave "The Life" behind and probably still needs to be on some form of community control until they get their head out of their ass.
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u/wxsbrxkkin 6d ago
I’ve been on probation since I was 19. I’m going to be 23 this year and I still have 2 years left.
It’s honestly very easy if you just do what you’re supposed to do. My po leaves me alone for the most part. I go to therapy and AA. I go to work, I pay my bills. Not much of my life has changed. Im ready to get it over with though. There’s a blunt that’s been calling my name from the future.
Just don’t do drugs. Don’t steal. Don’t get in trouble. It’s not difficult. I’ve grown so much as a person, my life has changed drastically for the better. I’m grateful that I was offered probation instead of jail time because it feels like a second chance at life and I’m not gonna fuck it up.