Probation is the ugly P word that many individuals who face a charge want to avoid at all costs. Sure, it is better than the J word, but it is hardly a huge improvement. But, probation could be just the right step for an individual facing a criminal charge, despite obvious reservations. A criminal attorney in Salisbury, MD takes a quick and sincere look at probation before judgment, the benefit that many Maryland citizens are taking advantage of today.
Probation before judgment, also known as PBJ, basically means that a client will receive probation before their trial is heard and before criminal judgment. The probation is not an admittance of guilt. It is actually the opposite. Probation acknowledges that the client is willing to work with the courts. On the surface, it looks good. The courts will have a substantiated track record of what an individual has done leading from the arrest to the judgment date.
Probation has unseen benefits. If a PBJ is accepted, the court may allow the probation period to continue as needed. Say, for example, a charge of battery requires a one-year probation. The client receives a PBJ as sought by the criminal attorney in Salisbury, MD. He is in the probation period for six months by the time the court is ready to see the case. The judge decides to let the probation continue. Once he reaches the year mark, the case is closed, and the person was never convicted of a crime. Insurance remains the same, and jail time is avoided.
It may also be possible for a judge to call it in after six months. They see the progress of the probation for the six months. If it is positive, as detailed by Marc A. Zeve, PA, Attorney at Law, the judge decides to close the case, dismiss it, and end the entire arrangement. The end result is the same.
PBJ is not commonly allowed for second-time offenses. However, it can be an absolutely amazing benefit for individuals facing penalties for a first-time criminal offense. A premature probation period starts one down that path. If it goes well leading up to a projected judgment date, it will reflect on the individual wonderfully.
