What if the defendant receives probation?

In some cases, a defendant will be placed on probation. If this occurs, he or she is under the supervision of the judge and a probation officer. The defendant will be required to get and keep a job, to get an education, to stay away from persons involved in other crimes, and many other conditions set by the judge. The judge will often require the defendant to pay restitution to the victim as a condition of probation. In most cases the defendant will pay the money to the probation department, which in turn pays the victim, so that there is no direct contact between the defendant and the victim. If the defendant violates any of the terms of probation, the probation could be revoked and he or she could be sent to jail or prison.