So I am hearing a lot of questions about probation and parole so I will explain how it works where I live (LA). Please keep in mind I can only tell my own experience and everyone's may vary. Background: I was 23 w no record, influential family, powerful fiancé, but I liked to play w drugs. I got involved w skeevy people and agreed to be a "lookout" for insurance fraud. I was caught and arrested and my bond was set at 125k (for 15k of attempted fraud and 9 felonies, they don't play in La!) I was released on my stepfather's recognizance and about 8 months later was sentenced to 3 years probation, 5 suspended. (And yes I recognize the disparity w sentencing but I really was not in that underworld, it was a screw up) My probation fees are $60 a month. I rarely get drug tested but I had been clean over 6mo at sentencing. My PO stops by once a month. Every visit I am sober, my home is clean and has some new piece of furniture of art, I am dressed to the nines and I am totally cooperative. Never been searched. He collects my rx copies (I take anxiety medication) and looks over my records to show I have been working ( I own a successful LLC) and we talk and joke. He is cool w me drinking (and on our first visit said I could "smoke, drink, and f- just don't break the law) I am on the lowest tier of supervision and as long as I pay my fees and restitution, my life is absolutely normal. I am up for early termination for good behavior after a year (late Nov) and he is recommending me. You'd never know if I didn't tell you, it rarely shows in backgrounds (my fam has "lost" tickets, DUIs, and other detritus before). Of course this is MY experience. I am a self supporting white woman in a luxury tower w no priors or addictions- you will see me on the society page at times. I don't give my PO shizz and he returns the favor. Also, my PO has much more dangerous/"still in the life" people to watch over, I am in downtown NOLA. In other experiences my co-dependent lives in a rural town- no job, lives in various men's trailers, selling and using drugs- who will most likely end up serving 5 years. Her PO made her go to substance abuse classes/recidivism prevention (I had neither and same judge) She has failed 3 drug tests and served a 90 day and another 30 day sanction. When I was on bond for a much higher amount I had no restrictions or drugs tests or ankle bracelets- but my background was much different. It is hard to say w the Woods/Kent cases what exactly their restrictions are but due to family and personal history I would imagine their experience is much different than mine. I also immediately confessed, lawyered up, and made it clear I was willing to do whatever it took to make things right. Something they are NOT doing from what I can see. After I am terminated my record will be expunged. But then again I never hurt a child and disclosed the locations I was aware of of the property I knew was stolen. I took personal responsibility and when you do, the law is extremely more lenient with you. I hope someone fesses up and takes their blame, but I doubt it. I also hope the sex ring is not treated as lenient as I was pre-trial. I only pray Britt is found and justice is served on her behalf to the highest extent of the law.