What Is Summary Probation? Do I Report to Anyone?

What to Take Away:  Summary probation is also called “informal probation” and as this name implies, it is less demanding than formal probation.  In formal probation, one has a probation officer that one must meet with and perhaps report to in person or through a kiosk at a police station each month.  In summary probation, there is no assigned probation officer and no reporting requirements.  Lastly, there are no fees payable to probation officer in summary probation, but in formal probation there are probation fees.

Summary probation, also known as informal probation, is a form of usually inactive supervision of a person who has been convicted of a misdemeanor.  Usually, summary probation involves no meetings with a probation officer and no checking in with the probation department.  Summary probation lasts from one to five years, depending upon the offense involved in the conviction.  Summary probation is reserved for people who are not deemed a danger to the community.  

Santa Ana Courthouse
The person often also must perform some form of community service or Cal-Trans roadside cleanup work, pay court-ordered fees and pay a booking fee.  In a domestic violence case, a common condition of probation is to make a $500 donation to a battered women’s shelter.  In a DUI, in Los Angeles County at least, the person may be required by the court to install an ignition interlock device (IID).

Less frequently, the person on summary probation may have to pay restitution to a victim or make a donation to the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA).  The person may also be bound by a protective order or a stay away order (SAO), as is common in shoplifting, vandalism and trespassing cases.  The person may also have to turn in all firearms.

As used in this code, 'conditional sentence' means the suspension of the imposition or execution of a sentence and the order of revocable release in the community subject to conditions established by the court without the supervision of a probation officer.

The judge will typically, but not always, schedule periodic “progress hearings” to monitor the probationer’s completion of the terms of probation.  It merits mention, too, that a condition of release to the community under informal probation can first require a jail term of up to six months or even one year.  Summary probation, in other words, does not always mean the person avoids jail time.

While summary probation may seem onerous, it is most often free.  In contrast, formal probation, where one is assigned a probation officer for closer supervision, involves fees that the probationer must pay.    

As with formal probation, the person on probation can ask the judge to modify the terms under Penal Code § 1203.3(a) so as to end probation early.  This is something to keep in mind once one has completed all terms and paid all fines and fines required, but must still just wait out the term of probation.  When this is the situation, courts will consider such a motion, however, most often only after at least half of the term of time has been completed.

Once summary probation has ended, a person is usually eligible for expungement of the conviction leading to probation.  There are certain crimes that are ineligible for expungement, but such exceptions are quite limited.

For more information about summary probation issues, click on the following articles:

1. What Punishment Do I Face for a Probation Violation?
2. Three Month Lapse Between Arrest and Probation Violation Hearing Does Not Violate One’s Right to a Timely Hearing
3. Court Rules That, in Drug Case, a Probation Condition Is Proper That Someone Not Associate with Others He Has Reason to Know Are Drug Users
   

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