Criminal Law Assignment: Probation, Guidelines, and Case Study

This assignment examines the concepts of probation and its associated guidelines within the context of criminal law. It differentiates between general and specific probation guidelines, explaining their applicability. The assignment then presents a case study involving an individual named Charles Smith, analyzing the types of crimes committed (misdemeanors) and the relevant guidelines. The analysis focuses on the correctional goals, particularly preventing recidivism, and suggests that attending therapy and restricting alcohol consumption would be most beneficial in achieving these goals. The assignment is intended to help students understand the practical application of probation and its guidelines in a legal setting.

Running head: CRIMINAL LAW
CRIMINAL LAW
Name of Student
Name of University
Author Note

1CRIMINAL LAW
General and Specific guidelines on Probation
A person can be said to be on probation when although he has not being incarcerated yet
he is still under supervision even during his release (Canton 2013). Two types of guidelines are
seen to be applicable on probation- general probation and specific probation. The standard
guidelines on probation are the conditions imposed on a person no matter what type or level of
crime has been committed by the convicted. Specific guidelines on probations are typically seen
to be added when there was a felony committed and in such cases where the court is of opinion
that adding the conditions to the probation would be appropriate (Sliva and Lambert 2015).
Guidelines Appropriate in the Case
In this case all the crimes committed by Charles Smith are misdemeanors and not felony
and further he has a clean criminal background. As a result the guidelines Charles Smith has to
follow are the standard guidelines. The guidelines that have been identified are: reporting to the
probation officer whenever requested, attending individual therapy, restriction on alcohol.
Analysis of the Correctional Goals
As can be seen in this case that Charles Smith is a family man living and working in the
same community where he was raised and in furtherance his criminal background prior to this
was also clean the goal that is intended to be achieved is making sure that he does not commit
any crime again. For achieving this correctional goal following the guidelines that have been
identified would be useful. Among all the guidelines attending therapy and restriction of alcohol

2CRIMINAL LAW
would be most useful in the case. By attending therapy and restricting alcohol it would be
ensured that he would not be intoxicated and would not commit any type of conduct that is
inappropriate or illegal.

3CRIMINAL LAW
Reference
Canton, R., 2013. Probation: Working with offenders. Willan.
Sliva, S.M. and Lambert, C.G., 2015. Restorative justice legislation in the American states: A
statutory analysis of emerging legal doctrine. Journal of Policy Practice, 14(2), pp.77-95.