Q: Will I go to jail the same day I refuse to sign probation documents if I wanted some time before signing?
If I wanted to consider the documents I will be signing and put off signing for a week, will those in charge of my probation refuse to allow that? They won't permit me to see the documents I will sign ahead of time so I'm going in there blind. Will they just throw me in jail? If so, will it be the entirety of my probationary term or will I be in jail a week? I'd prefer if they permitted me to stay out of jail for another week before signing.
A:
You didn't say what the nature of the documents are, but it sounds like you are already on probation; you must remember that probation is an alternative to incarceration that the court has granted you-you aren't entitled to it, and it can be revoked and they can just send you to jail. Typically, a criminal sentence requires you to comply with the terms of your probation without exception-you don't have any right to make demands to give you extra time or consideration. It sounds like you are accused of violating one or more terms of probation, and they are offering you a stipulation; you agree that the violation occurred and that you are bringing it back into compliance (e.g. by making a payment, presenting proof of community hours completed, etc.) and probation continuing, or that you are being revoked for a portion (or the balance) of your probation.
Unfortunately, as a probationer-you don't have a lot of options. You could hire an attorney who might be able to mediate a favorable resolution to whatever the probation issue, but nothing is guaranteed.
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