If a probationer violates terms, what may happen?

• A. They may have to serve their confinement sentence.
• B. They automatically receive a lighter sentence.
• C. They are permanently discharged from probation.
• D. They move to parole status automatically.

Answer: (A)

Probation violations can lead to revocation of probation and the offender may be required to serve the original confinement portion of the sentence. When someone is on probation, their freedom is conditional, and failing to meet the conditions can cause the court to revoke probation and impose the previously suspended confinement.

This is why the best answer is that they may have to serve their confinement sentence. The other options don’t fit because probation violations aren’t a guarantee of a lighter sentence, and discharge from probation isn’t automatic for violations. Parole status isn’t automatic for someone on probation either, since parole applies to incarcerated individuals and isn’t a default outcome of a probation violation.