Surprisingly, probation is not always better than a sentence to the Weld County Jail or the Colorado State Prison system a/k/a DOC. Probation involves a high cost in terms of money for supervision fees, time check ins, classes and UA’s. If a person is not wanting a probation officer to run their life, it might make sense to agree to a reasonable Weld County Jail sentence, and be finished.
Why Going to Prison or Jail is Sometimes Better Than Being on Probation
Probation is costly – both in terms of money and time. And if you think you’re more “free” on probation, ask the many people who are worn out from trying to please their probation officer and treatment personnel. Classes, UA’s, probation officer meetings, therapy and restitution are costly. Our defense lawyers have heard of people on probation who are losing their job due to the demands of probation officers and all their rules. Sometimes people who like to smoke pot are not allowed to use marijuana while on probation. They lose their ability to cope without the THC, and have difficulty functioning. A quick jail sentence might be better for them in the long run.
A Sentence to the Weld County Jail or Prison is Sometimes Quicker than a Probation Sentence
Compared to the years on probation, going to classes, treatment, UA’s and meetings with your probation officer, it is hard to keep a job and find time for your family. Getting a reasonable jail sentence in the Weld County Jail might actually be quicker to resolve your criminal case. Add up the total cost in terms of time and money, you might actually end up with less invested in your sentence by sitting in jail for a while and then being completely done with your court obligations. Drug cases are often very difficult to complete on probation, due to the addictive nature of the substance.
What Crimes in Greeley Court Have a High Probation Failure Rate, Where You Might End up in Prison Anyway?
Sexual offenses are very difficult to deal with on probation. The Sex Offender Management Board gives little leeway for you to live your life while a sex offender. Many people – perhaps a third – end up in prison anyway, because they cannot admit to something they have not done. In some cases, they can’t pass a polygraph, because there are other offenses out there which they might be prosecuted for. They must keep quiet. Treatment and job changes to satisfy SOMB requirements, along with probation supervision, are impossible for some to do. Probation and treatment box you in so tight, there is no room to live. All in the name of “public safety,” probation supervision and treatment are impossible for some to complete. These men would be better suited for a short prison or jail sentence rather than being hog-tied by the system, and eventually failing out.
What Type of People Do Poorly on Probation in Weld County?
Those of us who are not detail oriented, who don’t want to make the changes which probation wants them to make, or people who want to quickly finish up their case, may want to serve time in custody rather than get onto probation. We’ve even had clients tell us they cannot possibly stay out of trouble for two years during probation, and since a new conviction would violate their probation, they ask us to try and get them a short jail sentence to resolve their case.
Why Self-Revoke Your Probation, if Things are Going Badly?
Some people decide they can’t make it on probation, after starting it. They tell us it is just a matter of time before they get revoked by their probation officer. So, they ask us to begin the process of self-revoking their probation. They are ready to get started on a jail sentence and find the quickest way out of it now, rather than wasting additional time on probation before they are revoked by the probation officer. This makes good sense for those clients.
If you are considering asking a judge to impose probation, it is always smart to count the cost in advance. If probation is not for you, sometimes it makes sense to go directly to the Weld County Jail or prison and skip the trouble and headaches of a probation sentence. Some people on probation ask for our help in self-terminating their probation and getting what they see as an inevitable jail or prison sentence underway, so they can be done that much quicker.