probation

n. test period, trial period; attempt, trial; conditional release from jail during which a criminal is under supervision of a probation officer

Probation is the suspension of a jail sentence - the criminal who is "on probation" has been convicted of a crime, but instead of serving jail time, has been found by the Court to be amenable to probation and will be returned to the community for a period in which they will have to abide to certain conditions set forth by the Court under the supervision of a probation officer. General conditions may include maintaining employment, abiding to a curfew, living where directed, abstaining from unlawful behavior, following the probation officer's orders, not absconding, and refraining from contact with other individuals, who may include victims of the original crime (such as a former partner in a domestic violence case), potential victims of similar crimes (such as minors when the crime involves child sexual abuse), potential witnesses, or those who have partnered with the offender in the earlier crime.
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Noun
1. a trial period during which your character and abilities are tested to see whether you are suitable for work or for membership
(hypernym) trial period, test period
2. a trial period during which an offender has time to redeem himself or herself
(hypernym) trial period, test period
(derivation) probate
3. (law) a way of dealing with offenders without imprisoning them; a defendant found guilty of a crime is released by the court without imprisonment subject to conditions imposed by the court; "probation is part of the sentencing process"
(hypernym) liberation, release, freeing
(derivation) probate
(classification) law, jurisprudence

n. probation, attempt, trial; conditional release from jail during which a criminal is under supervision of a probation officer

(n.)
The trial of a ministerial candidate's qualifications prior to his ordination, or to his settlement as a pastor.
  

(n.)
The novitiate which a person must pass in a convent, to probe his or her virtue and ability to bear the severities of the rule.
  

(n.)
The act of proving; also, that which proves anything; proof.
  

(n.)
Moral trial; the state of man in the present life, in which he has the opportunity of proving his character, and becoming qualified for a happier state.
  

(n.)
Any proceeding designed to ascertain truth, to determine character, qualification, etc.; examination; trial; as, to engage a person on probation.