This is my last blog about probation lately.  These last items pertain to standard orders judges usually give when placing someone on probation in Georgia.

6. "Do not change your place of abode, move outside the jurisdiction of the Court, or leave Georgia without permission of the probation supervisor" means two different things, depending upon whether you are on FELONY or MISDEMEANOR probation:

FELONY: you cannot change where you live unless and until your probation officer ap-proves your new home BEFORE YOU MOVE. Your probation officer has the authority to tell you that you cannot move to the new location. You cannot leave the state for any reason without FIRST getting a travel permit. You must tell your probation officer where you are going, where you will be staying while gone, and when you will be back. Expect to have to report within 24 hours of your return for a drug screen. If you want to move to another state, or you already live outside Georgia at the time of your conviction, you cannot move to or return to that state unless and until that state says you are allowed there. The probation officer and judge think you are outside the state buying / selling / taking drugs. Prove them wrong.

MISDEMEANOR: Each time you report, be ready to confirm where you live, where you work and whether you have been arrested or issued traffic tickets since your last report. You may move prior to obtaining permission, but probation has the authority to confirm your ad-dress by showing up where you say you live, and questioning anyone else who lives there to find out if you're lying. You may travel outside of Georgia without a travel permit. Before you go (at the probation appointment before your travel plans), make sure you tell your probation officer where you are going, where you will be staying while gone, and when you will be back. Probation cannot prohibit you from traveling, especially for work, but you cannot let your travel interfere with your probation and sentence obligations. Expect to have to report with-in 24 hours of your return for a drug screen. The probation officer and judge think you are out-side the state buying / selling / taking drugs. Prove them wrong.

7. "Support your legal dependents to the best of your ability" means

• Live up to your responsibilities.
• If you have minor children and you are not married to the custodian of those children, pay child support on time and in the amount you are ordered to by the court. If a court has not ordered you to pay child support, make sure that you, not the government, are buying the children's clothes, food and shelter.

8. "Submit to evaluations and testing relating to rehabilitation and participate in and successfully complete rehabilitative programming as directed by the probation department" means

• You must FINISH all programs (GED, community service, anger management, mental health evaluation, alcohol / drug evaluation) your probation officer asks you to begin.
• You must comply with a treatment program, even if you don't agree with it.
• If you cannot afford the cost of the treatment program, tell your probation officer.