What is the difference between probation and jail time?

The difference between probation and jail time in Louisiana mainly comes down to two things: length of time served and restrictions placed on the person. Probation usually lasts for a set amount of time, determined by the court, while jail is the maximum amount of time declared by law for a particular violation. Also, probation requires someone to regularly answer to a probation officer, abide by certain conditions of their probation, and complete certain treatments, programs, or counseling sessions. Jail time does not have these restrictions. In addition, when someone is serving probation there are limitations on their behavior while jail doesn’t have that same restriction. For example, someone on probation cannot leave the state or change their residence without permission while someone in jail is not typically allowed to leave at all. In some cases, a person might be sentenced to both probation and jail time. This means that the person will serve an initial period in jail, and then be released to finish his sentence on probation. This allows the court to impose both the immediate justice of the jail time while also affording the person a chance to reintegrate into society with the restrictions and guidance of probation.

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What is the difference between probation and jail time?

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